The Hound of the Baskervilles

O Cão dos Baskervilles

Arthur Conan Doyle

ESL Easy Read

Reading Comprehension B1 • Original Text • Português Support

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Copyright

Fonte original — domínio público

Esta edição ESL Easy Read foi adaptada a partir de The Hound of the Baskervilles, de Arthur Conan Doyle, publicado originalmente em 1902.

A obra original encontra-se em domínio público e pode ser utilizada, reproduzida, distribuída e adaptada de acordo com a legislação aplicável.

Autor

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)

Estados Unidos

Esta obra foi publicada originalmente em 1902.

Nos Estados Unidos, obras publicadas antes de 1930 encontram-se normalmente em domínio público.

Com base no ano de publicação disponível, esta obra encontra-se em domínio público nos Estados Unidos desde 1º de janeiro de 1998.

Brasil

Autor: Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)

De acordo com a Lei nº 9.610/1998, os direitos patrimoniais expiram 70 anos após a morte do autor, contados a partir de 1º de janeiro do ano seguinte ao falecimento.

Arthur Conan Doyle faleceu em 1930.

Situação no Brasil: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Portugal

Autor: Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)

De acordo com o Código do Direito de Autor e dos Direitos Conexos, a proteção patrimonial dura 70 anos após a morte do autor.

Arthur Conan Doyle faleceu em 1930.

Situação em Portugal: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Dados da publicação original

Obra original: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Autor: Arthur Conan Doyle

Primeira publicação: 1902

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Introdução

Como ler este livro

Cada livro desta coleção é apresentado em um nível de leitura simplificada, de acordo com o CEFR — Quadro Europeu Comum de Referência para Línguas.

A2 — Básico: indicado para leitores que já compreendem frases simples, vocabulário frequente e textos curtos sobre situações do cotidiano.

B1 — Intermediário: indicado para leitores que conseguem compreender as ideias principais de textos claros e acompanhar uma narrativa com vocabulário e estruturas de dificuldade moderada.

B2 — Intermediário avançado: indicado para leitores que já conseguem compreender textos mais complexos, acompanhar descrições detalhadas e reconhecer uma variedade maior de vocabulário e estruturas gramaticais.

Este livro foi adaptado para o nível B1.

Assim, você pode começar a lê-lo mesmo sem dominar completamente o inglês. O texto foi simplificado para facilitar a compreensão, preservando a história, os personagens e os acontecimentos principais da obra original.

Como usar as notas

No texto de leitura simplificada, cada parágrafo possui um link Pt/En. Esse link abre uma nota com a tradução em português do texto simplificado e o trecho correspondente no texto original em inglês.

No texto original em inglês, o link PT leva diretamente ao parágrafo correspondente na versão em português. Na tradução portuguesa, o link En retorna ao parágrafo correspondente no texto original.

A tradução para o português é feita a partir do texto em inglês simplificado, e não diretamente do texto original. O objetivo é ajudar você a compreender com precisão a frase simplificada que está estudando naquele momento.

O texto original em inglês é apresentado separadamente para a etapa seguinte do aprendizado, quando você já estiver preparado para ler e comparar a obra em sua forma original.

Cada nota contém links que permitem retornar exatamente ao parágrafo que você estava lendo.

Sobre este livro

O Cão dos Baskervilles é um romance policial ambientado principalmente no desolado Dartmoor, em Devon, Inglaterra. A história começa com o Dr. James Mortimer consultando Sherlock Holmes e o Dr. Watson sobre a misteriosa morte de Sir Charles Baskerville, encontrado morto nos terrenos de Baskerville Hall com uma expressão de terror no rosto. Mortimer relata a lenda de um cão sobrenatural que assombra a família Baskerville há gerações, acreditado ser responsável pelas mortes de vários membros da família. O conflito central gira em torno da chegada de Sir Henry Baskerville, o último herdeiro, do Canadá, e da ameaça representada pelo cão lendário. Holmes envia Watson para acompanhar Sir Henry a Baskerville Hall enquanto ele permanece em Londres, aparentemente para cuidar de outros negócios. Os relatórios de Watson de Dartmoor descrevem ocorrências estranhas, incluindo o aparecimento de uma figura misteriosa no pântano e o uivo sinistro de um cão. O tom é gótico e cheio de suspense, misturando trabalho de detetive com elementos sobrenaturais. A progressão segue as investigações de Watson e o eventual retorno de Holmes a Dartmoor para descobrir a verdade por trás da lenda, levando a um confronto culminante no pântano. O romance mantém uma sensação de pavor e mistério ao longo de toda a narrativa, com o próprio pântano servindo como um personagem, contribuindo para a atmosfera de isolamento e perigo.

Nota editorial

A tradução para o português e a versão Reading Comprehension B1 foram geradas com apoio de inteligência artificial e submetidas a revisão editorial.

Em caso de dúvida ou observações, fale conosco.

MicMac from Las Vegas LLC
Contato: admin@micmacfromlasvegas.com

Outros livros e materiais

Materiais e outros livros da série ESL Easy Read:

Coleção Sherlock Holmes

A Study in Scarlet

His Last Bow

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes

The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

The Sign of the Four

The Valley of Fear

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www.micmacfromlasvegas.com

Reading Comprehension B1

1 - Mr. Sherlock Holmes

2 - The Curse of the Baskervilles

3 - The Problem

Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Pt/En Sherlock Holmes, who usually slept late, was sitting at the breakfast table. I stood by the fireplace and picked up a walking stick that a visitor had left the night before. It was a thick wooden stick with a round head, called a “Penang lawyer.” It had a wide silver band with an engraving: "To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of the C.C.H., 1884." It looked like the kind of stick a doctor from old times would carry.

Pt/En Holmes asked me what I thought about the stick.

Pt/En Holmes had his back to me, and I had not shown him that I was holding the stick.

Pt/En I asked Holmes how he knew what I was doing, saying he must have eyes in the back of his head.

Pt/En Holmes replied that he had a shiny coffeepot in front of him. He then asked me, Watson, what I thought about their visitor's stick. Holmes explained that since they missed the visitor and did not know why he came, the stick was now important. He asked me to examine it and describe the visitor based on it.

Pt/En The speaker said that he thought Dr. Mortimer was a successful, older doctor. He also thought that people who knew Dr. Mortimer liked him very much and showed this.

Pt/En Holmes said that this was good and excellent.

Pt/En The speaker also thought that Dr. Mortimer was likely a doctor who lived in the country and walked a lot when visiting patients.

Pt/En Holmes asked why the speaker thought that.

Pt/En The speaker explained that the walking stick was very worn. He said that a town doctor would not likely carry such a stick, and the worn end showed that Dr. Mortimer walked a great deal.

Pt/En Holmes said that it was perfectly fine.

Pt/En The speaker thought that "friends of the C.C.H." might mean the local hunt club. They guessed that the person had helped some members with medical care, and the club had given a small gift in return.

Pt/En Holmes told Watson that he was very good. Holmes added that Watson usually did not praise his own skills enough. Holmes explained that while Watson might not be brilliant himself, he helped others to be. Holmes admitted that he owed Watson a lot.

Pt/En The narrator was pleased because Holmes had never said such things before. He was often annoyed by Holmes's lack of interest in his admiration and his efforts to share Holmes's methods. He was also proud that he understood Holmes's system well enough to get his approval. Holmes then took the stick and looked at it closely without glasses. He put down his cigarette, took the stick to the window, and looked at it again with a magnifying glass.

Pt/En Holmes returned to his seat and said the stick was interesting, but simple. He mentioned that there were a few clues on the stick that would help them make several conclusions.

Pt/En Watson asked if he had missed anything important. He wanted to know if there was anything significant that he had not noticed.

Pt/En Holmes told Watson that most of his ideas were wrong. He explained that seeing Watson's mistakes sometimes helped him find the correct answer. However, Holmes agreed that Watson was partly right this time: the man was definitely a doctor who worked in the country and walked a lot.

Pt/En Watson said that this meant he was right.

Pt/En Holmes replied that Watson was right only to that extent.

Pt/En Watson then asked if that was all he had been right about.

Pt/En Holmes told Watson that not all clues were obvious. He suggested that a doctor might receive something from a hospital, not from a hunt. He also said that if initials were 'C.C.' and related to a hospital, it was very likely to mean 'Charing Cross'.

Pt/En Watson replied that Holmes might be correct.

Pt/En Holmes explained that this idea was probably true. He said that if they used this idea as a starting point, they could begin to understand the unknown visitor.

Pt/En Watson asked what else they could learn if 'C.C.H.' did stand for 'Charing Cross Hospital'.

Pt/En Holmes asked Watson if he could not think of any other ideas himself. He told Watson to use his own methods and apply them.

Pt/En The speaker thought the most likely explanation was that the man had worked in the city before moving to the country.

Pt/En The speaker suggested they consider the situation more. He asked when it would be most likely for friends to give a gift to someone. He said it was probably when Dr. Mortimer left the hospital to start his own practice. They knew a gift was given and that the doctor moved from a city hospital to a country practice. The speaker asked if it was a reasonable guess that the gift was given when the doctor changed his job.

Pt/En The other person agreed that it seemed likely.

Pt/En The speaker pointed out that the man could not have been a senior doctor at the hospital because only well-known doctors in London had such positions, and they would not move to the country. He explained that if the man worked at the hospital but was not a senior doctor, he was likely a junior doctor or a student. The speaker noted that the man left five years ago, according to the walking stick. He concluded that the idea of a serious, middle-aged doctor was wrong. Instead, it was a young man under thirty, who was friendly, not ambitious, sometimes forgetful, and owned a dog that was bigger than a terrier but smaller than a mastiff.

Pt/En Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and blew smoke rings towards the ceiling, and the narrator laughed, not believing him.

Pt/En The speaker said he could not check the other part, but it was easy to find out about the man's age and job. He took the Medical Directory from his shelf and looked for the name. There were many Mortimers, but only one was their visitor. He read the man's information aloud.

Pt/En The information showed that James Mortimer was a doctor who qualified in 1882 and lived in Grimpen, Dartmoor. He worked as a house-surgeon at Charing Cross Hospital from 1882 to 1884. He had won a prize for his essay on disease and was a member of a Swedish society. He had also written articles and was a medical officer for several local areas.

Pt/En Holmes told Watson that the information did not mention a local hunt, but confirmed he was a country doctor, as Watson had guessed. Holmes felt his guesses were correct. He had described the man as friendly, not ambitious, and absentminded. Holmes explained that friendly people get good reviews, unambitious people leave London for the country, and absentminded people forget their visiting cards instead of their sticks.

Pt/En Watson asked about the dog.

Pt/En Holmes explained that the dog had been carrying the stick behind its owner. Because the stick was heavy, the dog held it tightly in the middle, leaving clear teeth marks. Holmes thought the dog's jaw was too wide for a terrier but too narrow for a mastiff. He concluded it was likely a curly-haired spaniel.

Pt/En He stood up and walked around the room while he spoke. Then he stopped by the window. His voice sounded very sure, which made me look up in surprise.

Pt/En The narrator asked his friend how he could be so sure about that.

Pt/En His friend explained that he could see the dog and its owner at their door. He asked Watson to stay because his presence might help. He said it was an important moment, as someone was coming up the stairs, and they didn't know if it was for good or bad. He then invited the visitor in, asking what Dr. James Mortimer wanted from Sherlock Holmes.

Pt/En The visitor was a surprise because he looked different from what the narrator expected. He was very tall and thin, with a long nose and bright gray eyes behind glasses. He wore professional clothes, but they were old and dirty. Although he was young, his back was bent, and he looked like he was always peering forward. When he saw the stick in Holmes's hand, he ran to it happily, saying he was glad he hadn't lost it.

Pt/En Holmes commented that the stick looked like a gift.

Pt/En He confirmed.

Pt/En Holmes asked if it was from Charing Cross Hospital.

Pt/En He explained that the gifts were from friends who attended his wedding.

Pt/En Holmes thought this was bad news and shook his head.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer looked surprised through his glasses and asked why it was bad.

Pt/En Holmes said that the other person's marriage had changed their plans. He asked if the person was married.

Pt/En The person confirmed they were married. Because of this, they left the hospital and their hopes of having their own medical practice. They explained that they needed to make their own home.

Pt/En Holmes then said they were not completely wrong. He addressed the person as Dr. James Mortimer.

Pt/En The person corrected him, saying they were Mister, not Doctor, and that they were a humble M.R.C.S. (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons).

Pt/En Holmes commented that the person was clearly a person with a precise and careful mind.

Pt/En A visitor asked if he was speaking to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. He described himself as someone interested in science and exploring new things.

Pt/En Sherlock Holmes replied that the other person present was his friend, Dr. Watson.

Pt/En The visitor said he was pleased to meet Dr. Watson and had heard of him through his friend. He told Mr. Holmes that he found him very interesting and noted his head shape. He asked if he could touch Holmes's head and said he really wanted a model of his skull for a museum.

Pt/En Sherlock Holmes invited their guest to sit down. Holmes told the visitor that he could see they were both very interested in their own subjects. He noticed the visitor's finger and guessed he made his own cigarettes, offering him permission to light one.

Pt/En The man took out paper and tobacco and quickly rolled a cigarette. His fingers were long and moved very fast, like an insect's feelers.

Pt/En Holmes was quiet but watched their interesting guest with keen eyes. He finally asked the visitor if he had come only to examine his skull, both last night and today.

Pt/En The visitor replied that he was happy to have had the chance to do that too. He explained that he came to Mr. Holmes because he knew he was not a practical man himself and was facing a very serious and unusual problem. He also said that he knew Holmes was the second best expert in Europe.

Pt/En Holmes asked with some annoyance who was considered the best expert.

Pt/En The visitor said that Monsieur Bertillon's work always strongly impressed people with a scientific mind.

Pt/En Holmes then asked the visitor if he should consult Monsieur Bertillon instead.

Pt/En The speaker told the other person that they were speaking to a very scientific mind. However, they also said that the other person was known as a unique and capable practical person. The speaker hoped they had not accidentally said anything wrong.

Pt/En Holmes replied that he understood a little. He suggested that Dr. Mortimer should explain clearly and directly what problem he needed help with.

Pt/En Chapter II

The Curse of the Baskervilles

Pt/En Dr. James Mortimer stated that he had a manuscript in his pocket.

Pt/En Holmes mentioned that he had noticed the manuscript when Dr. Mortimer entered the room.

Pt/En He said it was an old manuscript.

Pt/En He thought it was from the early 1700s, but he wondered if it might be a fake.

Pt/En The other person asked him why he thought that.

Pt/En The speaker explained that he had seen a small part of the document while the other person was talking. He added that an expert could usually tell the date of a document within about ten years. He also mentioned that he had written a short book about the subject and had dated it around 1730.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer took the document from his pocket and said the exact date was 1742. He explained that Sir Charles Baskerville had given him this family paper. Sir Charles had died suddenly and tragically about three months before, which caused a lot of excitement. Dr. Mortimer said he was Sir Charles's friend and doctor. He described Sir Charles as a sensible, practical man who did not imagine things. However, Sir Charles had taken this document very seriously, and his mind was ready for the bad end that eventually happened to him.

Pt/En Holmes took the paper and put it on his knee. He told Watson that he could see the different ways the letter 's' was written. He explained that this helped him to know when the paper was made.

Pt/En I looked at the old, yellow paper. At the top, it said "Baskerville Hall". Below that, the year "1742" was written in big, messy numbers.

Pt/En I said that it seemed to be some kind of report.

Pt/En Holmes replied that it was a statement about a story that was told in the Baskerville family.

Pt/En I asked if he wanted my help with something more recent and practical.

Pt/En A speaker said there was a very important and modern problem that needed a decision within 24 hours. He explained that a short manuscript was connected to this problem and asked for permission to read it.

Pt/En Holmes sat back in his chair, put his fingers together, and closed his eyes, looking like he accepted something. Dr. Mortimer held the manuscript to the light and read an old story in a loud, breaking voice.

Pt/En The writer explained that he was a direct descendant of Hugo Baskerville and had heard the story from his father. He believed the story was true and wanted his sons to believe it too. He advised them not to fear the past but to be careful in the future, so that the bad things that hurt their family would not happen again.

Pt/En The story began during the Great Rebellion. The Manor of Baskerville belonged to a wild and bad man named Hugo. He fell in love with a local farmer's daughter, but she was afraid of him and avoided him. One day, Hugo and his friends stole the maiden from her home while her father and brothers were away. They took her to the Hall and celebrated. The maiden was very scared by their loud and terrible behaviour. In her fear, she climbed down the ivy on the wall and ran three leagues across the moor to her father's farm.

Pt/En Later, Hugo went to give food to the captive maiden, but found she had escaped. He became very angry and shouted that he would give his soul to evil spirits if he could catch her. One of his friends suggested they use the hunting dogs. Hugo ran outside, told his servants to get his horse and the dogs, and gave them a piece of the maiden's cloth to follow her scent. They then rode out into the moonlight across the moor, following the hounds.

Pt/En The people were surprised and confused by what happened so quickly. But then they understood. They became very upset. Some wanted their guns, some wanted horses, and some wanted more wine. After a while, they calmed down. All thirteen of them got on their horses and went to chase someone. The moon was bright, and they rode fast together. They followed the path the woman probably took to get home.

Pt/En After riding a short distance, they met a shepherd. They asked him if he had seen the chase. The shepherd was very frightened and could hardly speak. He said he had seen the young woman with hounds chasing her. He also said he saw Hugo Baskerville on his black horse, and a terrible hound ran silently behind him.

Pt/En The drunken men shouted at the shepherd and rode on. But soon they became scared. They heard horses galloping across the moor. Hugo Baskerville's black horse, covered in white foam, rode past with a loose rein and an empty saddle. The people rode closer together because they were very afraid. They continued to follow over the moor, even though each man would have been happy to turn back if he were alone. Riding slowly like this, they finally found the hounds. The hounds, which were known to be brave, were making quiet sounds and were gathered at the top of a deep valley. Some hounds looked away, while others stared down the narrow valley with their fur standing up.

Pt/En The group stopped. They were more sober now. Most of them did not want to go further, but three men, who were the bravest or perhaps the most drunk, rode down into the valley. The valley opened into a wide area with two large stones, which were placed there long ago by ancient people. The moon shone brightly on the open space. In the middle lay the young woman, dead from fear and tiredness. But it was not her body, or the body of Hugo Baskerville lying nearby, that frightened the three men. It was a terrible, large, black beast, shaped like a hound but bigger than any hound they had ever seen. It stood over Hugo and was biting his throat. As the beast turned its burning eyes and dripping mouth towards them, the three men screamed in fear and rode away as fast as they could, still screaming. It is said that one man died that night from what he saw, and the other two were unhappy for the rest of their lives.

Pt/En This is the story of how the hound appeared and how it has troubled the family ever since. The storyteller explained that knowing the truth is less frightening than guessing. He admitted that many family members have died suddenly, mysteriously, and violently. However, he said they could trust in God's goodness, who would not punish innocent people for too long. He advised his sons to be careful and avoid crossing the moor late at night when evil forces are believed to be strong.

Pt/En Hugo Baskerville sent a message to his sons, Rodger and John. He told them not to tell their sister Elizabeth about it.

Pt/En After Dr. Mortimer finished reading the unusual story, he pushed his glasses up and looked at Sherlock Holmes. Holmes yawned and threw the end of his cigarette into the fire.

Pt/En Holmes asked what Dr. Mortimer thought.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer asked if Holmes did not find the story interesting.

Pt/En Holmes replied that he would find it interesting if he collected fairy tales.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer took a folded newspaper from his pocket.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer told Mr. Holmes he would show him something more recent. He presented a newspaper, the Devon County Chronicle from May 14th of that year. It contained a brief report about the facts found after the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, which happened a few days before the newspaper date.

Pt/En My friend (Holmes) leaned forward, looking very interested. The visitor adjusted his glasses and began to speak.

Pt/En The newspaper reported that the recent, sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville had made the county sad. Sir Charles was liked and respected by everyone, even though he had lived at Baskerville Hall for a short time. He was from an old family that had lost its money, but he had made his fortune in South Africa and returned to England to restore his family's old home. He had only lived there for two years and had plans for improvements that were now stopped by his death. Sir Charles had no children and wanted the local area to benefit from his wealth. He had given money to many local charities.

Pt/En The newspaper also stated that the official investigation had not fully explained Sir Charles's death, but it had stopped local superstitions. There was no sign of foul play, and his death was believed to be from natural causes. Sir Charles was a widower and somewhat unusual. Despite his wealth, he lived simply. His only indoor staff were a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore. They, along with friends, said that Sir Charles had been unwell for some time, especially with heart problems. These problems caused breathlessness and sudden attacks of sadness. Dr. James Mortimer, who was Sir Charles's friend and doctor, confirmed this information.

Pt/En The story of Sir Charles Baskerville's death is quite simple. He often walked down Baskerville Hall's famous yew alley before sleeping. The Barrymore family confirmed this was his usual habit. On May 4th, Sir Charles told his staff he planned to go to London the next day and asked for his bags to be packed. That night, he went for his usual walk and smoked a cigar. He never came back. Around midnight, Barrymore noticed the hall door was still open and became worried. He took a lantern to look for his master. The ground was wet, so Sir Charles's footprints were easy to follow down the alley. Near the middle of the alley, there is a gate to the moor. It seemed Sir Charles stopped there for a while. He continued down the alley, and his body was found at the very end. One strange detail Barrymore mentioned was that Sir Charles's footprints changed after he passed the moor gate. It looked like he started walking on his toes. A man named Murphy, who sold horses and was a gipsy, was nearby on the moor. He admitted he had been drinking. He said he heard cries but could not tell where they came from. No injuries were found on Sir Charles's body. The doctor said his face looked very strange, so much so that Dr. Mortimer did not recognize his friend at first. However, this strange look could be caused by breathing problems and a tired heart. The post-mortem examination showed Sir Charles had a long-term heart condition. The jury agreed with the doctor's findings. This was good because it was important for Sir Charles's heir to live at the Hall and continue his work. If the coroner had not given a simple explanation, the strange stories about the death might have made it hard to find someone to live in Baskerville Hall. It is believed that Mr. Henry Baskerville, Sir Charles's nephew, is the next in line to inherit, if he is still alive. He was last known to be in America, and people are trying to find him to tell him about his inheritance.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer put his paper away. He told Mr. Holmes that these were the public facts about Sir Charles Baskerville's death.

Pt/En Sherlock Holmes thanked Dr. Mortimer for bringing this case to his attention, saying it was interesting. He mentioned he had seen some news about it but was busy with another case in Rome. He asked if the article contained all the public facts.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer confirmed that it did.

Pt/En Holmes then asked for the private details of the case. He sat back, put his fingers together, and looked very serious and thoughtful.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer explained that he had kept some information secret. He did not want to seem to support a popular belief with science. Also, he wanted to protect the reputation of Baskerville Hall, which was already quite bad. He felt he could tell Holmes everything because there was no reason to hide anything from him.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer said that the moor had few people living on it, so neighbours knew each other well. He spent a lot of time with Sir Charles Baskerville. Besides Mr. Frankland and Mr. Stapleton, who was a scientist, there were no other educated men nearby. Sir Charles was a quiet man, but his illness brought them together. They also shared an interest in science, and Sir Charles had brought back interesting scientific information from South Africa. They often spent evenings discussing it.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer noticed that Sir Charles was becoming very stressed in the months before his death. Sir Charles took the old story very seriously. He was afraid to go out on the moor at night, even though he walked in his own garden. He truly believed that his family was cursed. The history of his ancestors was not good, which made him more worried. He often asked Dr. Mortimer if he had ever seen a strange creature or heard a hound's bark at night during his medical visits. He asked this question many times, and his voice sounded very excited.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer remembered visiting Sir Charles about three weeks before he died. Sir Charles was standing at his door and looked past Dr. Mortimer with great fear. Dr. Mortimer turned and saw something like a large black calf. Sir Charles was so upset that Dr. Mortimer went to look for the animal, but it was gone. This event seemed to worry Sir Charles a lot. Dr. Mortimer stayed with him that evening, and Sir Charles told him the story that Dr. Mortimer had read to Holmes. Dr. Mortimer thought this incident was not important at the time, but it became significant after Sir Charles's death.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer had advised Sir Charles to go to London. He knew Sir Charles's heart was not strong, and his constant worry was affecting his health. Dr. Mortimer thought a few months away in the city would help him recover. Mr. Stapleton, a friend who was also worried about Sir Charles, agreed. However, Sir Charles died suddenly before he could leave.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer explained that on the night Sir Charles died, the butler, Barrymore, sent for him. He arrived quickly and checked the facts from the official report. He followed footprints on the ground and saw where Sir Charles had waited. He noticed that the footprints changed after a certain point and that only Barrymore's footprints were visible on the soft ground. Dr. Mortimer also examined Sir Charles's body. Sir Charles was lying on his face with his fingers in the ground, and his face showed great fear. There were no physical injuries. Dr. Mortimer stated that Barrymore made one mistake at the inquest. Barrymore said there were no footprints near the body, but Dr. Mortimer found some fresh ones a short distance away.

Pt/En Someone asked if they were footprints.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer confirmed that they were footprints.

Pt/En Someone asked if the footprints belonged to a man or a woman.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer looked at them for a moment with a strange expression. He then lowered his voice to a whisper and answered.

Pt/En The person told Mr. Holmes that the footprints were from a very large dog.

Pt/En Chapter III

The Problem

Pt/En The narrator felt a shiver when the doctor spoke. The doctor's voice showed he was very moved by what he was telling them. Holmes leaned forward, looking excited, with a sharp, bright look in his eyes that appeared when he was very interested.

Pt/En Holmes asked if the other person had seen it.

Pt/En The other person replied that they had seen it as clearly as they could see Holmes.

Pt/En He asked if the person had said nothing.

Pt/En The person replied that there was no point in saying anything.

Pt/En He asked why nobody else had seen it.

Pt/En He explained that the marks were about twenty yards away from the body. He thought that nobody else had noticed them, and he probably would not have noticed them either if he had not known the legend.

Pt/En He asked if there were many sheepdogs on the moor.

Pt/En The speaker said that the dog was definitely not a sheepdog.

Pt/En The other person asked if the dog was big.

Pt/En The answer was that it was very big.

Pt/En The question was asked if the dog had not come near the body.

Pt/En The answer was no.

Pt/En He asked what the night was like.

Pt/En It was damp and cold.

Pt/En He asked if it was raining.

Pt/En It was not raining.

Pt/En He asked about the alley.

Pt/En There were two lines of old yew hedges. They were 12 feet high and very thick, so you could not get through them. The path in the middle was about 8 feet wide.

Pt/En He asked if there was anything between the hedges and the path.

Pt/En The answer was yes, there was a strip of grass about six feet wide on each side.

Pt/En He then asked if the yew hedge had a gate in one place.

Pt/En Yes, he was told, there was a small gate that led to the moor.

Pt/En He asked if there was another opening.

Pt/En The answer was no.

Pt/En He asked if the only ways to reach the yew alley were to come from the house or to enter it through the moor-gate.

Pt/En Someone replied that there was an exit through a summerhouse at the far end.

Pt/En He asked if Sir Charles had reached this exit.

Pt/En He explained that the person was about fifty yards away from that place.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer was asked if the marks he saw were on the path and not on the grass, and this was stated as important.

Pt/En It was explained that no marks could be seen on the grass.

Pt/En He was asked if the marks were on the same side of the path as the moor-gate.

Pt/En He confirmed that the marks were on the edge of the path, on the same side as the moor-gate.

Pt/En He said that the person was very interesting and asked one more question: if the small gate was closed.

Pt/En The answer was that it was closed and locked with a padlock.

Pt/En He then asked about the height of the gate.

Pt/En The gate was about four feet high.

Pt/En He asked if this meant that anyone could have climbed over it.

Pt/En He said yes.

Pt/En He asked what marks had been seen by the wicket-gate.

Pt/En He replied that there were no particular marks.

Pt/En Someone expressed surprise, asking if no one had checked.

Pt/En He confirmed that he himself had examined the area.

Pt/En He asked if they had found anything.

Pt/En The situation was confusing. It seemed Sir Charles had stood in that place for about five to ten minutes.

Pt/En The other person asked how he knew that.

Pt/En He explained that the ash from Sir Charles's cigar had fallen twice.

Pt/En Someone said that this was excellent and that Watson was like them. Then they asked about the marks.

Pt/En He said that the person had left his marks on the gravel, and he could not see any other marks.

Pt/En Sherlock Holmes hit his knee, showing he was impatient.

Pt/En Holmes said he wished he had been there. He thought it was a very interesting case with many chances for an expert. He was sad that the gravel, where he could have learned a lot, was now ruined by rain and people. He told Dr. Mortimer that he was responsible for not calling him.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer explained that he could not call Mr. Holmes without telling everyone the facts, which he did not want to do. He also started to say something else.

Pt/En Holmes asked why Dr. Mortimer was hesitating.

Pt/En Holmes explained that there was a situation where even the most skilled detective could not help.

Pt/En The other person asked if Holmes meant that the event was caused by something supernatural.

Pt/En Holmes replied that he had not said that directly.

Pt/En The other person pointed out that Holmes clearly thought it was supernatural, even if he did not say it.

Pt/En The person told Holmes that since the tragedy, they had heard about several events that were difficult to explain with normal rules of nature.

Pt/En He asked for an example.

Pt/En He explained that before the bad event, several people saw a creature on the moor. It looked like the Baskerville demon and was not a known animal. They all said it was a large, bright, and ghostly creature. He had spoken to these men, including a farmer and a horse doctor, and they all told the same story about a terrible ghost that matched the legend of the hellhound. He assured them that people were very scared in the area, and only brave men would go across the moor at night.

Pt/En The other person asked if he, as a scientist, thought the creature was supernatural.

Pt/En He answered that he did not know what to believe.

Pt/En Holmes moved his shoulders and said that he had only investigated things in this world before. He felt fighting the devil himself would be too much, but he pointed out that the footprint they found was real.

Pt/En The speaker explained that the original hound was a real creature strong enough to kill a man, but it was also evil.

Pt/En The other person noticed that Dr. Mortimer believed in supernatural things. He asked why Dr. Mortimer had come to him for help if he thought Sir Charles's death was impossible to investigate. He pointed out that Dr. Mortimer said it was useless to investigate but also wanted him to do it.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer replied that he had not said he wanted the investigation.

Pt/En The other person then asked how he could help.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer explained that he needed advice about what to do with Sir Henry Baskerville. He mentioned that Sir Henry would arrive at Waterloo Station in one hour and a quarter.

Pt/En The speaker asked if the person was the heir.

Pt/En The speaker confirmed that the person was the heir. He explained that after Sir Charles died, they looked for the young man and found he was farming in Canada. He added that from what they heard, the young man was very good. He was speaking as a trustee of Sir Charles’s will, not just as a doctor.

Pt/En The speaker asked if there was any other person who could claim the inheritance.

Pt/En The speaker said there were no other claimants. He mentioned that the only other relative they found was Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles’s younger brother. Rodger had died in Central America in 1876. The young man, Henry, was the son of the second brother who died young. Henry was the last of the Baskerville family. The speaker said he would meet Henry at Waterloo Station soon, as Henry had arrived in Southampton that morning. He then asked Mr. Holmes for advice on what to do with Henry.

Pt/En The speaker asked why the heir should not go to his family home.

Pt/En The speaker thought it seemed natural, but explained that every Baskerville who went to the place had a bad end. He was sure Sir Charles would have warned him not to bring the young heir, the last of the family and very rich, to the dangerous area. However, he admitted that the poor, sad countryside needed the heir to be there. If no one lived in the Hall, all the good work Sir Charles had done would be lost. The speaker worried he was thinking too much about his own benefit and asked for advice.

Pt/En Holmes thought about it for a short time.

Pt/En Holmes said that, in simple terms, the speaker believed a bad power made Dartmoor unsafe for a Baskerville. He asked if that was the speaker's opinion.

Pt/En The speaker replied that he could at least say there was some proof that this might be true.

Pt/En Holmes agreed but asked if, according to the speaker's idea of a ghost or evil spirit, it could harm the young man in London just as easily as in Devonshire. He found the idea of a devil with only local power hard to believe.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer told Mr. Holmes that he thought Holmes was speaking too lightly about the situation. Mortimer understood that Holmes believed the young man, Sir Henry, would be safe in Devonshire, just like in London. Sir Henry was arriving in 50 minutes, and Mortimer asked Holmes what he should do.

Pt/En Mr. Holmes advised Dr. Mortimer to take a taxi, stop his dog from scratching at the door, and go to Waterloo station to meet Sir Henry Baskerville.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer asked what he should do next.

Pt/En Mr. Holmes instructed Dr. Mortimer not to say anything to Sir Henry until Holmes had decided what to do about the situation.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer asked how long it would take Mr. Holmes to make his decision.

Pt/En Holmes told Dr. Mortimer to return in 24 hours, at 10 o'clock the next day. He asked Dr. Mortimer to bring Sir Henry Baskerville with him, as it would help with his plans.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer agreed and wrote the appointment on his shirt cuff. He left quickly in his usual absentminded way. Holmes stopped him at the top of the stairs.

Pt/En Holmes asked Dr. Mortimer one more question. He wanted to know if several people had seen the ghost on the moor before Sir Charles Baskerville died.

Pt/En Dr. Mortimer confirmed that three people had seen it.

Pt/En Holmes then asked if anyone had seen the ghost after Sir Charles's death.

Pt/En He said he had not heard of any.

Pt/En He thanked the other person and said good morning.

Pt/En Holmes sat down again. He looked happy because he had an interesting job to do.

Pt/En Holmes asked Watson if he was going out.

Pt/En Watson replied that he would go out unless he could help Holmes.

Pt/En Holmes told Watson that he would need his help later, when they had to take action. He said the current situation was very interesting. He asked Watson to buy some strong tobacco from Bradley's and to come back in the evening. Then, they could talk about the interesting problem they had been given that morning.

Pt/En Watson knew that Holmes needed to be alone when he was thinking very hard. Holmes had to look at all the facts, think of different ideas, and decide what was important. So, Watson spent the day at his club and did not go back to Baker Street until the evening. He returned at about nine o'clock.

Pt/En When Watson opened the door, he thought there was a fire because the room was full of smoke. The lamp light looked unclear. But when he entered, he realised it was just the strong smell of tobacco smoke that made him cough. He could see Holmes sitting in a chair, smoking a pipe. There were papers around him.

Pt/En Holmes asked Watson if he had caught a cold.

Pt/En Watson replied that it was the bad air in the room.

Pt/En He said he supposed it was quite thick, now that it had been mentioned.

Pt/En He exclaimed that it was intolerable.

Pt/En He told the other person to open the window, saying he could see they had been at their club all day.

Pt/En The other person replied, calling him "My dear Holmes!"

Pt/En Holmes asked if he was correct.

Pt/En He agreed but asked how it was possible.

Pt/En He laughed at Watson's confused look. He said it was fun to use his skills to tease Watson because Watson was so new and surprised. He explained that if a man went out on a wet and dirty day and came back in the evening with clean clothes and a shiny hat and boots, he must have stayed in one place all day. He also noted that the man did not have close friends. He asked Watson if it was not clear where he had been.

Pt/En Watson replied that it was quite obvious.

Pt/En He said that many obvious things are not noticed by people. He then asked Watson where he thought he had been.

Pt/En Watson answered that he had also stayed in one place.

Pt/En He said that he had been to Devonshire.

Pt/En The other person asked if he meant in spirit.

Pt/En He explained that his body had stayed in his chair, and he had drunk a lot of coffee and smoked a lot of tobacco. He had also ordered a large map of the area and had studied it all day, so he felt he knew the place well.

Pt/En The other person asked if it was a large map.

Pt/En He confirmed that it was very large.

Pt/En He unrolled a map and showed them the area they were interested in. He pointed out that Baskerville Hall was in the middle.

Pt/En Someone asked if there was a wood around the hall.

Pt/En He agreed and explained that a long path, probably the yew alley, was there. The moor was to the right. He showed them the village of Grimpen, where Dr. Mortimer lived. He pointed out a few houses nearby, including Lafter Hall, the naturalist Stapleton's house, and two farmhouses called High Tor and Foulmire. He also mentioned the Princetown prison, which was far away. He described the area between these places as a lonely, empty moor, saying it was the place where a sad story happened and where they might be involved again.

Pt/En Someone commented that it must be a wild place.

Pt/En He agreed that the location was suitable. He then started to say that if the devil wanted to interfere in people's lives...

Pt/En He asked if the other person was beginning to believe in a supernatural explanation.

Pt/En He explained that bad people can be normal humans. He said there were two main questions: first, if a crime happened, and second, what the crime was and how it was done. He added that if Dr. Mortimer was right about forces beyond nature, their investigation would stop. However, he stated they must check all other possibilities first. He then closed the window, saying a quiet room helped him think better. He asked if the other person had thought about the case.

Pt/En The other person replied that they had thought about it a lot during the day.

Pt/En He asked what the other person thought about it.

Pt/En The other person said it was very confusing.

Pt/En The speaker noted that the footprints were unusual and had special features. He asked what the other person thought about a change he observed in them.

Original English Text

1 - Mr. Sherlock Holmes

2 - The Curse of the Baskervilles

3 - The Problem

Mr. Sherlock Holmes

PT Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was seated at the breakfast table. I stood upon the hearthrug and picked up the stick which our visitor had left behind him the night before. It was a fine, thick piece of wood, bulbous-headed, of the sort which is known as a “Penang lawyer.” Just under the head was a broad silver band nearly an inch across. “To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of the C.C.H.,” was engraved upon it, with the date “1884.” It was just such a stick as the old-fashioned family practitioner used to carry—dignified, solid, and reassuring.

PT “Well, Watson, what do you make of it?”

PT Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I had given him no sign of my occupation.

PT “How did you know what I was doing? I believe you have eyes in the back of your head.”

PT “I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated coffeepot in front of me,” said he. “But, tell me, Watson, what do you make of our visitor’s stick? Since we have been so unfortunate as to miss him and have no notion of his errand, this accidental souvenir becomes of importance. Let me hear you reconstruct the man by an examination of it.”

PT “I think,” said I, following as far as I could the methods of my companion, “that Dr. Mortimer is a successful, elderly medical man, well-esteemed since those who know him give him this mark of their appreciation.”

PT “Good!” said Holmes. “Excellent!”

PT “I think also that the probability is in favour of his being a country practitioner who does a great deal of his visiting on foot.”

PT “Why so?”

PT “Because this stick, though originally a very handsome one has been so knocked about that I can hardly imagine a town practitioner carrying it. The thick-iron ferrule is worn down, so it is evident that he has done a great amount of walking with it.”

PT “Perfectly sound!” said Holmes.

PT “And then again, there is the ‘friends of the C.C.H.’ I should guess that to be the Something Hunt, the local hunt to whose members he has possibly given some surgical assistance, and which has made him a small presentation in return.”

PT “Really, Watson, you excel yourself,” said Holmes, pushing back his chair and lighting a cigarette. “I am bound to say that in all the accounts which you have been so good as to give of my own small achievements you have habitually underrated your own abilities. It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light. Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it. I confess, my dear fellow, that I am very much in your debt.”

PT He had never said as much before, and I must admit that his words gave me keen pleasure, for I had often been piqued by his indifference to my admiration and to the attempts which I had made to give publicity to his methods. I was proud, too, to think that I had so far mastered his system as to apply it in a way which earned his approval. He now took the stick from my hands and examined it for a few minutes with his naked eyes. Then with an expression of interest he laid down his cigarette, and carrying the cane to the window, he looked over it again with a convex lens.

PT “Interesting, though elementary,” said he as he returned to his favourite corner of the settee. “There are certainly one or two indications upon the stick. It gives us the basis for several deductions.”

PT “Has anything escaped me?” I asked with some self-importance. “I trust that there is nothing of consequence which I have overlooked?”

PT “I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your conclusions were erroneous. When I said that you stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in noting your fallacies I was occasionally guided towards the truth. Not that you are entirely wrong in this instance. The man is certainly a country practitioner. And he walks a good deal.”

PT “Then I was right.”

PT “To that extent.”

PT “But that was all.”

PT “No, no, my dear Watson, not all—by no means all. I would suggest, for example, that a presentation to a doctor is more likely to come from a hospital than from a hunt, and that when the initials ‘C.C.’ are placed before that hospital the words ‘Charing Cross’ very naturally suggest themselves.”

PT “You may be right.”

PT “The probability lies in that direction. And if we take this as a working hypothesis we have a fresh basis from which to start our construction of this unknown visitor.”

PT “Well, then, supposing that ‘C.C.H.’ does stand for ‘Charing Cross Hospital,’ what further inferences may we draw?”

PT “Do none suggest themselves? You know my methods. Apply them!”

PT “I can only think of the obvious conclusion that the man has practised in town before going to the country.”

PT “I think that we might venture a little farther than this. Look at it in this light. On what occasion would it be most probable that such a presentation would be made? When would his friends unite to give him a pledge of their good will? Obviously at the moment when Dr. Mortimer withdrew from the service of the hospital in order to start a practice for himself. We know there has been a presentation. We believe there has been a change from a town hospital to a country practice. Is it, then, stretching our inference too far to say that the presentation was on the occasion of the change?”

PT “It certainly seems probable.”

PT “Now, you will observe that he could not have been on the staff of the hospital, since only a man well-established in a London practice could hold such a position, and such a one would not drift into the country. What was he, then? If he was in the hospital and yet not on the staff he could only have been a house-surgeon or a house-physician—little more than a senior student. And he left five years ago—the date is on the stick. So your grave, middle-aged family practitioner vanishes into thin air, my dear Watson, and there emerges a young fellow under thirty, amiable, unambitious, absentminded, and the possessor of a favourite dog, which I should describe roughly as being larger than a terrier and smaller than a mastiff.”

PT I laughed incredulously as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his settee and blew little wavering rings of smoke up to the ceiling.

PT “As to the latter part, I have no means of checking you,” said I, “but at least it is not difficult to find out a few particulars about the man’s age and professional career.” From my small medical shelf I took down the Medical Directory and turned up the name. There were several Mortimers, but only one who could be our visitor. I read his record aloud.

PT “Mortimer, James, M.R.C.S., 1882, Grimpen, Dartmoor, Devon. House-surgeon, from 1882 to 1884, at Charing Cross Hospital. Winner of the Jackson prize for Comparative Pathology, with essay entitled ‘Is Disease a Reversion?’ Corresponding member of the Swedish Pathological Society. Author of ‘Some Freaks of Atavism’ (Lancet 1882). ‘Do We Progress?’ (Journal of Psychology, March, 1883). Medical Officer for the parishes of Grimpen, Thorsley, and High Barrow.”

PT “No mention of that local hunt, Watson,” said Holmes with a mischievous smile, “but a country doctor, as you very astutely observed. I think that I am fairly justified in my inferences. As to the adjectives, I said, if I remember right, amiable, unambitious, and absentminded. It is my experience that it is only an amiable man in this world who receives testimonials, only an unambitious one who abandons a London career for the country, and only an absentminded one who leaves his stick and not his visiting-card after waiting an hour in your room.”

PT “And the dog?”

PT “Has been in the habit of carrying this stick behind his master. Being a heavy stick the dog has held it tightly by the middle, and the marks of his teeth are very plainly visible. The dog’s jaw, as shown in the space between these marks, is too broad in my opinion for a terrier and not broad enough for a mastiff. It may have been—yes, by Jove, it is a curly-haired spaniel.”

PT He had risen and paced the room as he spoke. Now he halted in the recess of the window. There was such a ring of conviction in his voice that I glanced up in surprise.

PT “My dear fellow, how can you possibly be so sure of that?”

PT “For the very simple reason that I see the dog himself on our very doorstep, and there is the ring of its owner. Don’t move, I beg you, Watson. He is a professional brother of yours, and your presence may be of assistance to me. Now is the dramatic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a step upon the stair which is walking into your life, and you know not whether for good or ill. What does Dr. James Mortimer, the man of science, ask of Sherlock Holmes, the specialist in crime? Come in!”

PT The appearance of our visitor was a surprise to me, since I had expected a typical country practitioner. He was a very tall, thin man, with a long nose like a beak, which jutted out between two keen, gray eyes, set closely together and sparkling brightly from behind a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He was clad in a professional but rather slovenly fashion, for his frock-coat was dingy and his trousers frayed. Though young, his long back was already bowed, and he walked with a forward thrust of his head and a general air of peering benevolence. As he entered his eyes fell upon the stick in Holmes’s hand, and he ran towards it with an exclamation of joy. “I am so very glad,” said he. “I was not sure whether I had left it here or in the Shipping Office. I would not lose that stick for the world.”

PT “A presentation, I see,” said Holmes.

PT “Yes, sir.”

PT “From Charing Cross Hospital?”

PT “From one or two friends there on the occasion of my marriage.”

PT “Dear, dear, that’s bad!” said Holmes, shaking his head.

PT Dr. Mortimer blinked through his glasses in mild astonishment. “Why was it bad?”

PT “Only that you have disarranged our little deductions. Your marriage, you say?”

PT “Yes, sir. I married, and so left the hospital, and with it all hopes of a consulting practice. It was necessary to make a home of my own.”

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

PT “Mister, sir, Mister—a humble M.R.C.S.”

PT “And a man of precise mind, evidently.”

PT “A dabbler in science, 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—”

PT “No, this is my friend Dr. Watson.”

PT “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 supraorbital 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, but I confess that I covet your skull.”

PT 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.”

PT 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.

PT 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 today?”

PT “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—”

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

PT “To the man of precisely scientific mind the work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly.”

PT “Then had you not better consult him?”

PT “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—”

PT “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.”

PT II

The Curse of the Baskervilles

PT “I have in my pocket a manuscript,” said Dr. James Mortimer.

PT “I observed it as you entered the room,” said Holmes.

PT “It is an old manuscript.”

PT “Early eighteenth century, unless it is a forgery.”

PT “How can you say that, sir?”

PT “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.”

PT “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.”

PT Holmes stretched out his hand for the manuscript and flattened it upon his knee. “You will observe, Watson, the alternative use of the long s and the short. It is one of several indications which enabled me to fix the date.”

PT I looked over his shoulder at the yellow paper and the faded script. At the head was written: “Baskerville Hall,” and below in large, scrawling figures: “1742.”

PT “It appears to be a statement of some sort.”

PT “Yes, it is a statement of a certain legend which runs in the Baskerville family.”

PT “But I understand that it is something more modern and practical upon which you wish to consult me?”

PT “Most modern. A most practical, pressing matter, which must be decided within twenty-four hours. But the manuscript is short and is intimately connected with the affair. With your permission I will read it to you.”

PT Holmes leaned back in his chair, placed his fingertips together, and closed his eyes, with an air of resignation. Dr. Mortimer turned the manuscript to the light and read in a high, cracking voice the following curious, old-world narrative:

PT “Of the origin of the Hound of the Baskervilles there have been many statements, yet as I come in a direct line from Hugo Baskerville, and as I had the story from my father, who also had it from his, I have set it down with all belief that it occurred even as is here set forth. And I would have you believe, my sons, that the same Justice which punishes sin may also most graciously forgive it, and that no ban is so heavy but that by prayer and repentance it may be removed. Learn then from this story not to fear the fruits of the past, but rather to be circumspect in the future, that those foul passions whereby our family has suffered so grievously may not again be loosed to our undoing.

PT “Know then that in the time of the Great Rebellion (the history of which by the learned Lord Clarendon I most earnestly commend to your attention) this Manor of Baskerville was held by Hugo of that name, nor can it be gainsaid that he was a most wild, profane, and godless man. This, in truth, his neighbours might have pardoned, seeing that saints have never flourished in those parts, but there was in him a certain wanton and cruel humour which made his name a byword through the West. It chanced that this Hugo came to love (if, indeed, so dark a passion may be known under so bright a name) the daughter of a yeoman who held lands near the Baskerville estate. But the young maiden, being discreet and of good repute, would ever avoid him, for she feared his evil name. So it came to pass that one Michaelmas this Hugo, with five or six of his idle and wicked companions, stole down upon the farm and carried off the maiden, her father and brothers being from home, as he well knew. When they had brought her to the Hall the maiden was placed in an upper chamber, while Hugo and his friends sat down to a long carouse, as was their nightly custom. Now, the poor lass upstairs was like to have her wits turned at the singing and shouting and terrible oaths which came up to her from below, for they say that the words used by Hugo Baskerville, when he was in wine, were such as might blast the man who said them. At last in the stress of her fear she did that which might have daunted the bravest or most active man, for by the aid of the growth of ivy which covered (and still covers) the south wall she came down from under the eaves, and so homeward across the moor, there being three leagues betwixt the Hall and her father’s farm.

PT “It chanced that some little time later Hugo left his guests to carry food and drink—with other worse things, perchance—to his captive, and so found the cage empty and the bird escaped. Then, as it would seem, he became as one that hath a devil, for, rushing down the stairs into the dining-hall, he sprang upon the great table, flagons and trenchers flying before him, and he cried aloud before all the company that he would that very night render his body and soul to the Powers of Evil if he might but overtake the wench. And while the revellers stood aghast at the fury of the man, one more wicked or, it may be, more drunken than the rest, cried out that they should put the hounds upon her. Whereat Hugo ran from the house, crying to his grooms that they should saddle his mare and unkennel the pack, and giving the hounds a kerchief of the maid’s, he swung them to the line, and so off full cry in the moonlight over the moor.

PT “Now, for some space the revellers stood agape, unable to understand all that had been done in such haste. But anon their bemused wits awoke to the nature of the deed which was like to be done upon the moorlands. Everything was now in an uproar, some calling for their pistols, some for their horses, and some for another flask of wine. But at length some sense came back to their crazed minds, and the whole of them, thirteen in number, took horse and started in pursuit. The moon shone clear above them, and they rode swiftly abreast, taking that course which the maid must needs have taken if she were to reach her own home.

PT “They had gone a mile or two when they passed one of the night shepherds upon the moorlands, and they cried to him to know if he had seen the hunt. And the man, as the story goes, was so crazed with fear that he could scarce speak, but at last he said that he had indeed seen the unhappy maiden, with the hounds upon her track. ‘But I have seen more than that,’ said he, ‘for Hugo Baskerville passed me upon his black mare, and there ran mute behind him such a hound of hell as God forbid should ever be at my heels.’

PT “So the drunken squires cursed the shepherd and rode onward. But soon their skins turned cold, for there came a galloping across the moor, and the black mare, dabbled with white froth, went past with trailing bridle and empty saddle. Then the revellers rode close together, for a great fear was on them, but they still followed over the moor, though each, had he been alone, would have been right glad to have turned his horse’s head. Riding slowly in this fashion they came at last upon the hounds. These, though known for their valour and their breed, were whimpering in a cluster at the head of a deep dip or ‘goyal,’ as we call it, upon the moor, some slinking away and some, with starting hackles and staring eyes, gazing down the narrow valley before them.

PT “The company had come to a halt, more sober men, as you may guess, than when they started. The most of them would by no means advance, but three of them, the boldest, or it may be the most drunken, rode forward down the goyal. Now, it opened into a broad space in which stood two of those great stones, still to be seen there, which were set by certain forgotten peoples in the days of old. The moon was shining bright upon the clearing, and there in the centre lay the unhappy maid where she had fallen, dead of fear and of fatigue. But it was not the sight of her body, nor yet was it that of the body of Hugo Baskerville lying near her, which raised the hair upon the heads of these three daredevil roysterers, but it was that, standing over Hugo, and plucking at his throat, there stood a foul thing, a great, black beast, shaped like a hound, yet larger than any hound that ever mortal eye has rested upon. And even as they looked the thing tore the throat out of Hugo Baskerville, on which, as it turned its blazing eyes and dripping jaws upon them, the three shrieked with fear and rode for dear life, still screaming, across the moor. One, it is said, died that very night of what he had seen, and the other twain were but broken men for the rest of their days.

PT “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 forever 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.

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

PT 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.

PT “Well?” said he.

PT “Do you not find it interesting?”

PT “To a collector of fairy tales.”

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

PT “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.”

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

PT “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 fallen upon evil days is able to make his own fortune and to bring it back with him to restore the fallen grandeur of his line. Sir Charles, as is well known, made large sums of money in South African speculation. More wise than those who go on until the wheel turns against them, he realized his gains and returned to England with them. It is only two years since he took up his residence at Baskerville Hall, and it is common talk how large were those schemes of reconstruction and improvement which have been interrupted by his death. Being himself childless, it was his openly expressed desire that the whole countryside should, within his own lifetime, profit by his good fortune, and many will have personal reasons for bewailing his untimely end. His generous donations to local and county charities have been frequently chronicled in these columns.

PT “The circumstances connected with the death of Sir Charles cannot be said to have been entirely cleared up by the inquest, but at least enough has been done to dispose of those rumours to which local superstition has given rise. There is no reason whatever to suspect foul play, or to imagine that death could be from any but natural causes. Sir Charles was a widower, and a man who may be said to have been in some ways of an eccentric habit of mind. In spite of his considerable wealth he was simple in his personal tastes, and his indoor servants at Baskerville Hall consisted of a married couple named Barrymore, the husband acting as butler and the wife as housekeeper. Their evidence, corroborated by that of several friends, tends to show that Sir Charles’s health has for some time been impaired, and points especially to some affection of the heart, manifesting itself in changes of colour, breathlessness, and acute attacks of nervous depression. Dr. James Mortimer, the friend and medical attendant of the deceased, has given evidence to the same effect.

PT “The facts of the case are simple. Sir Charles Baskerville was in the habit every night before going to bed of walking down the famous yew alley of Baskerville Hall. The evidence of the Barrymores shows that this had been his custom. On the fourth of May Sir Charles had declared his intention of starting next day for London, and had ordered Barrymore to prepare his luggage. That night he went out as usual for his nocturnal walk, in the course of which he was in the habit of smoking a cigar. He never returned. At twelve o’clock Barrymore, finding the hall door still open, became alarmed, and, lighting a lantern, went in search of his master. The day had been wet, and Sir Charles’s footmarks were easily traced down the alley. Halfway down this walk there is a gate which leads out on to the moor. There were indications that Sir Charles had stood for some little time here. He then proceeded down the alley, and it was at the far end of it that his body was discovered. One fact which has not been explained is the statement of Barrymore that his master’s footprints altered their character from the time that he passed the moor-gate, and that he appeared from thence onward to have been walking upon his toes. One Murphy, a gipsy horse-dealer, was on the moor at no great distance at the time, but he appears by his own confession to have been the worse for drink. He declares that he heard cries but is unable to state from what direction they came. No signs of violence were to be discovered upon Sir Charles’s person, and though the doctor’s evidence pointed to an almost incredible facial distortion—so great that Dr. Mortimer refused at first to believe that it was indeed his friend and patient who lay before him—it was explained that that is a symptom which is not unusual in cases of dyspnoea and death from cardiac exhaustion. This explanation was borne out by the postmortem examination, which showed long-standing organic disease, and the coroner’s jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. It is well that this is so, for it is obviously of the utmost importance that Sir Charles’s heir should settle at the Hall and continue the good work which has been so sadly interrupted. Had the prosaic finding of the coroner not finally put an end to the romantic stories which have been whispered in connection with the affair, it might have been difficult to find a tenant for Baskerville Hall. It is understood that the next of kin is Mr. Henry Baskerville, if he be still alive, the son of Sir Charles Baskerville’s younger brother. The young man when last heard of was in America, and inquiries are being instituted with a view to informing him of his good fortune.”

PT Dr. Mortimer refolded his paper and replaced it in his pocket. “Those are the public facts, Mr. Holmes, in connection with the death of Sir Charles Baskerville.”

PT “I must thank you,” said Sherlock Holmes, “for calling my attention to a case which certainly presents some features of interest. I had observed some newspaper comment at the time, but I was exceedingly preoccupied by that little affair of the Vatican cameos, and in my anxiety to oblige the Pope I lost touch with several interesting English cases. This article, you say, contains all the public facts?”

PT “It does.”

PT “Then let me have the private ones.” He leaned back, put his fingertips together, and assumed his most impassive and judicial expression.

PT “In doing so,” said Dr. Mortimer, who had begun to show signs of some strong emotion, “I am telling that which I have not confided to anyone. My motive for withholding it from the coroner’s inquiry is that a man of science shrinks from placing himself in the public position of seeming to endorse a popular superstition. I had the further motive that Baskerville Hall, as the paper says, would certainly remain untenanted if anything were done to increase its already rather grim reputation. For both these reasons I thought that I was justified in telling rather less than I knew, since no practical good could result from it, but with you there is no reason why I should not be perfectly frank.

PT “The moor is very sparsely inhabited, and those who live near each other are thrown very much together. For this reason I saw a good deal of Sir Charles Baskerville. With the exception of Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, and Mr. Stapleton, the naturalist, there are no other men of education within many miles. Sir Charles was a retiring man, but the chance of his illness brought us together, and a community of interests in science kept us so. He had brought back much scientific information from South Africa, and many a charming evening we have spent together discussing the comparative anatomy of the Bushman and the Hottentot.

PT “Within the last few months it became increasingly plain to me that Sir Charles’s nervous system was strained to the breaking point. He had taken this legend which I have read you exceedingly to heart—so much so that, although he would walk in his own grounds, nothing would induce him to go out upon the moor at night. Incredible as it may appear to you, Mr. Holmes, he was honestly convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his family, and certainly the records which he was able to give of his ancestors were not encouraging. The idea of some ghastly presence constantly haunted him, and on more than one occasion he has asked me whether I had on my medical journeys at night ever seen any strange creature or heard the baying of a hound. The latter question he put to me several times, and always with a voice which vibrated with excitement.

PT “I can well remember driving up to his house in the evening some three weeks before the fatal event. He chanced to be at his hall door. I had descended from my gig and was standing in front of him, when I saw his eyes fix themselves over my shoulder and stare past me with an expression of the most dreadful horror. I whisked round and had just time to catch a glimpse of something which I took to be a large black calf passing at the head of the drive. So excited and alarmed was he that I was compelled to go down to the spot where the animal had been and look around for it. It was gone, however, and the incident appeared to make the worst impression upon his mind. I stayed with him all the evening, and it was on that occasion, to explain the emotion which he had shown, that he confided to my keeping that narrative which I read to you when first I came. I mention this small episode because it assumes some importance in view of the tragedy which followed, but I was convinced at the time that the matter was entirely trivial and that his excitement had no justification.

PT “It was at my advice that Sir Charles was about to go to London. His heart was, I knew, affected, and the constant anxiety in which he lived, however chimerical the cause of it might be, was evidently having a serious effect upon his health. I thought that a few months among the distractions of town would send him back a new man. Mr. Stapleton, a mutual friend who was much concerned at his state of health, was of the same opinion. At the last instant came this terrible catastrophe.

PT “On the night of Sir Charles’s death Barrymore the butler, who made the discovery, sent Perkins the groom on horseback to me, and as I was sitting up late I was able to reach Baskerville Hall within an hour of the event. I checked and corroborated all the facts which were mentioned at the inquest. I followed the footsteps down the yew alley, I saw the spot at the moor-gate where he seemed to have waited, I remarked the change in the shape of the prints after that point, I noted that there were no other footsteps save those of Barrymore on the soft gravel, and finally I carefully examined the body, which had not been touched until my arrival. Sir Charles lay on his face, his arms out, his fingers dug into the ground, and his features convulsed with some strong emotion to such an extent that I could hardly have sworn to his identity. There was certainly no physical injury of any kind. But one false statement was made by Barrymore at the inquest. He said that there were no traces upon the ground round the body. He did not observe any. But I did—some little distance off, but fresh and clear.”

PT “Footprints?”

PT “Footprints.”

PT “A man’s or a woman’s?”

PT Dr. Mortimer looked strangely at us for an instant, and his voice sank almost to a whisper as he answered.

PT “Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!”

PT III

The Problem

PT I confess at these words a shudder passed through me. There was a thrill in the doctor’s voice which showed that he was himself deeply moved by that which he told us. Holmes leaned forward in his excitement and his eyes had the hard, dry glitter which shot from them when he was keenly interested.

PT “You saw this?”

PT “As clearly as I see you.”

PT “And you said nothing?”

PT “What was the use?”

PT “How was it that no one else saw it?”

PT “The marks were some twenty yards from the body and no one gave them a thought. I don’t suppose I should have done so had I not known this legend.”

PT “There are many sheepdogs on the moor?”

PT “No doubt, but this was no sheepdog.”

PT “You say it was large?”

PT “Enormous.”

PT “But it had not approached the body?”

PT “No.”

PT “What sort of night was it?”

PT “Damp and raw.”

PT “But not actually raining?”

PT “No.”

PT “What is the alley like?”

PT “There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve feet high and impenetrable. The walk in the centre is about eight feet across.”

PT “Is there anything between the hedges and the walk?”

PT “Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet broad on either side.”

PT “I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?”

PT “Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the moor.”

PT “Is there any other opening?”

PT “None.”

PT “So that to reach the yew alley one either has to come down it from the house or else to enter it by the moor-gate?”

PT “There is an exit through a summerhouse at the far end.”

PT “Had Sir Charles reached this?”

PT “No; he lay about fifty yards from it.”

PT “Now, tell me, Dr. Mortimer—and this is important—the marks which you saw were on the path and not on the grass?”

PT “No marks could show on the grass.”

PT “Were they on the same side of the path as the moor-gate?”

PT “Yes; they were on the edge of the path on the same side as the moor-gate.”

PT “You interest me exceedingly. Another point. Was the wicket-gate closed?”

PT “Closed and padlocked.”

PT “How high was it?”

PT “About four feet high.”

PT “Then anyone could have got over it?”

PT “Yes.”

PT “And what marks did you see by the wicket-gate?”

PT “None in particular.”

PT “Good heaven! Did no one examine?”

PT “Yes, I examined, myself.”

PT “And found nothing?”

PT “It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evidently stood there for five or ten minutes.”

PT “How do you know that?”

PT “Because the ash had twice dropped from his cigar.”

PT “Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after our own heart. But the marks?”

PT “He had left his own marks all over that small patch of gravel. I could discern no others.”

PT Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his knee with an impatient gesture.

PT “If I had only been there!” he cried. “It is evidently a case of extraordinary interest, and one which presented immense opportunities to the scientific expert. That gravel page upon which I might have read so much has been long ere this smudged by the rain and defaced by the clogs of curious peasants. Oh, Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer, to think that you should not have called me in! You have indeed much to answer for.”

PT “I could not call you in, Mr. Holmes, without disclosing these facts to the world, and I have already given my reasons for not wishing to do so. Besides, besides—”

PT “Why do you hesitate?”

PT “There is a realm in which the most acute and most experienced of detectives is helpless.”

PT “You mean that the thing is supernatural?”

PT “I did not positively say so.”

PT “No, but you evidently think it.”

PT “Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have come to my ears several incidents which are hard to reconcile with the settled order of Nature.”

PT “For example?”

PT “I find that before the terrible event occurred several people had seen a creature upon the moor which corresponds with this Baskerville demon, and which could not possibly be any animal known to science. They all agreed that it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hardheaded countryman, one a farrier, and one a moorland farmer, who all tell the same story of this dreadful apparition, exactly corresponding to the hellhound of the legend. I assure you that there is a reign of terror in the district, and that it is a hardy man who will cross the moor at night.”

PT “And you, a trained man of science, believe it to be supernatural?”

PT “I do not know what to believe.”

PT Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “I have hitherto confined my investigations to this world,” said he. “In a modest way I have combated evil, but to take on the Father of Evil himself would, perhaps, be too ambitious a task. Yet you must admit that the footmark is material.”

PT “The original hound was material enough to tug a man’s throat out, and yet he was diabolical as well.”

PT “I see that you have quite gone over to the supernaturalists. But now, Dr. Mortimer, tell me this. If you hold these views, why have you come to consult me at all? You tell me in the same breath that it is useless to investigate Sir Charles’s death, and that you desire me to do it.”

PT “I did not say that I desired you to do it.”

PT “Then, how can I assist you?”

PT “By advising me as to what I should do with Sir Henry Baskerville, who arrives at Waterloo Station”—Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch—“in exactly one hour and a quarter.”

PT “He being the heir?”

PT “Yes. On the death of Sir Charles we inquired for this young gentleman and found that he had been farming in Canada. From the accounts which have reached us he is an excellent fellow in every way. I speak now not as a medical man but as a trustee and executor of Sir Charles’s will.”

PT “There is no other claimant, I presume?”

PT “None. The only other kinsman whom we have been able to trace was Rodger Baskerville, the youngest of three brothers of whom poor Sir Charles was the elder. The second brother, who died young, is the father of this lad Henry. The third, Rodger, was the black sheep of the family. He came of the old masterful Baskerville strain and was the very image, they tell me, of the family picture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to hold him, fled to Central America, and died there in 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the Baskervilles. In one hour and five minutes I meet him at Waterloo Station. I have had a wire that he arrived at Southampton this morning. Now, Mr. Holmes, what would you advise me to do with him?”

PT “Why should he not go to the home of his fathers?”

PT “It seems natural, does it not? And yet, consider that every Baskerville who goes there meets with an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles could have spoken with me before his death he would have warned me against bringing this, the last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth, to that deadly place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleak countryside depends upon his presence. All the good work which has been done by Sir Charles will crash to the ground if there is no tenant of the Hall. I fear lest I should be swayed too much by my own obvious interest in the matter, and that is why I bring the case before you and ask for your advice.”

PT Holmes considered for a little time.

PT “Put into plain words, the matter is this,” said he. “In your opinion there is a diabolical agency which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode for a Baskerville—that is your opinion?”

PT “At least I might go the length of saying that there is some evidence that this may be so.”

PT “Exactly. But surely, if your supernatural theory be correct, it could work the young man evil in London as easily as in Devonshire. A devil with merely local powers like a parish vestry would be too inconceivable a thing.”

PT “You put the matter more flippantly, Mr. Holmes, than you would probably do if you were brought into personal contact with these things. Your advice, then, as I understand it, is that the young man will be as safe in Devonshire as in London. He comes in fifty minutes. What would you recommend?”

PT “I recommend, sir, that you take a cab, call off your spaniel who is scratching at my front door, and proceed to Waterloo to meet Sir Henry Baskerville.”

PT “And then?”

PT “And then you will say nothing to him at all until I have made up my mind about the matter.”

PT “How long will it take you to make up your mind?”

PT “Twenty-four hours. At ten o’clock tomorrow, Dr. Mortimer, I will be much obliged to you if you will call upon me here, and it will be of help to me in my plans for the future if you will bring Sir Henry Baskerville with you.”

PT “I will do so, Mr. Holmes.” He scribbled the appointment on his shirt-cuff and hurried off in his strange, peering, absentminded fashion. Holmes stopped him at the head of the stair.

PT “Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer. You say that before Sir Charles Baskerville’s death several people saw this apparition upon the moor?”

PT “Three people did.”

PT “Did any see it after?”

PT “I have not heard of any.”

PT “Thank you. Good morning.”

PT Holmes returned to his seat with that quiet look of inward satisfaction which meant that he had a congenial task before him.

PT “Going out, Watson?”

PT “Unless I can help you.”

PT “No, my dear fellow, it is at the hour of action that I turn to you for aid. But this is splendid, really unique from some points of view. When you pass Bradley’s, would you ask him to send up a pound of the strongest shag tobacco? Thank you. It would be as well if you could make it convenient not to return before evening. Then I should be very glad to compare impressions as to this most interesting problem which has been submitted to us this morning.”

PT I knew that seclusion and solitude were very necessary for my friend in those hours of intense mental concentration during which he weighed every particle of evidence, constructed alternative theories, balanced one against the other, and made up his mind as to which points were essential and which immaterial. I therefore spent the day at my club and did not return to Baker Street until evening. It was nearly nine o’clock when I found myself in the sitting-room once more.

PT My first impression as I opened the door was that a fire had broken out, for the room was so filled with smoke that the light of the lamp upon the table was blurred by it. As I entered, however, my fears were set at rest, for it was the acrid fumes of strong coarse tobacco which took me by the throat and set me coughing. Through the haze I had a vague vision of Holmes in his dressing-gown coiled up in an armchair with his black clay pipe between his lips. Several rolls of paper lay around him.

PT “Caught cold, Watson?” said he.

PT “No, it’s this poisonous atmosphere.”

PT “I suppose it is pretty thick, now that you mention it.”

PT “Thick! It is intolerable.”

PT “Open the window, then! You have been at your club all day, I perceive.”

PT “My dear Holmes!”

PT “Am I right?”

PT “Certainly, but how?”

PT He laughed at my bewildered expression. “There is a delightful freshness about you, Watson, which makes it a pleasure to exercise any small powers which I possess at your expense. A gentleman goes forth on a showery and miry day. He returns immaculate in the evening with the gloss still on his hat and his boots. He has been a fixture therefore all day. He is not a man with intimate friends. Where, then, could he have been? Is it not obvious?”

PT “Well, it is rather obvious.”

PT “The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. Where do you think that I have been?”

PT “A fixture also.”

PT “On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire.”

PT “In spirit?”

PT “Exactly. My body has remained in this armchair and has, I regret to observe, consumed in my absence two large pots of coffee and an incredible amount of tobacco. After you left I sent down to Stamford’s for the Ordnance map of this portion of the moor, and my spirit has hovered over it all day. I flatter myself that I could find my way about.”

PT “A large-scale map, I presume?”

PT “Very large.”

PT He unrolled one section and held it over his knee. “Here you have the particular district which concerns us. That is Baskerville Hall in the middle.”

PT “With a wood round it?”

PT “Exactly. I fancy the yew alley, though not marked under that name, must stretch along this line, with the moor, as you perceive, upon the right of it. This small clump of buildings here is the hamlet of Grimpen, where our friend Dr. Mortimer has his headquarters. Within a radius of five miles there are, as you see, only a very few scattered dwellings. Here is Lafter Hall, which was mentioned in the narrative. There is a house indicated here which may be the residence of the naturalist—Stapleton, if I remember right, was his name. Here are two moorland farmhouses, High Tor and Foulmire. Then fourteen miles away the great convict prison of Princetown. Between and around these scattered points extends the desolate, lifeless moor. This, then, is the stage upon which tragedy has been played, and upon which we may help to play it again.”

PT “It must be a wild place.”

PT “Yes, the setting is a worthy one. If the devil did desire to have a hand in the affairs of men—”

PT “Then you are yourself inclining to the supernatural explanation.”

PT “The devil’s agents may be of flesh and blood, may they not? There are two questions waiting for us at the outset. The one is whether any crime has been committed at all; the second is, what is the crime and how was it committed? Of course, if Dr. Mortimer’s surmise should be correct, and we are dealing with forces outside the ordinary laws of Nature, there is an end of our investigation. But we are bound to exhaust all other hypotheses before falling back upon this one. I think we’ll shut that window again, if you don’t mind. It is a singular thing, but I find that a concentrated atmosphere helps a concentration of thought. I have not pushed it to the length of getting into a box to think, but that is the logical outcome of my convictions. Have you turned the case over in your mind?”

PT “Yes, I have thought a good deal of it in the course of the day.”

PT “What do you make of it?”

PT “It is very bewildering.”

PT “It has certainly a character of its own. There are points of distinction about it. That change in the footprints, for example. What do you make of that?”

Versão em Português

1 - Sr. Sherlock Holmes

2 - A Maldição dos Baskerville

3 - O Problema

Sr. Sherlock Holmes

En O Sr. Sherlock Holmes, que normalmente se levantava muito tarde, a menos que tivesse passado a noite acordado, estava sentado à mesa do café da manhã. Eu fiquei em pé sobre o tapete da lareira e peguei a bengala que nosso visitante havia deixado na noite anterior. Era um pedaço de madeira fino e grosso, com uma cabeça bulbosa, conhecido como Penang lawyer. Logo abaixo da cabeça havia uma larga faixa de prata de quase uma polegada de largura. Gravado nela estava uma inscrição indicando que foi presenteada a James Mortimer por seus amigos do C.C.H., datada de 1884. Era o tipo de bengala que um médico de família antiquado costumava carregar—digna, sólida e reconfortante.

En Holmes me perguntou qual era minha avaliação sobre a bengala.

En Holmes estava sentado de costas para mim, e eu não havia dado sinal de que estava ocupado com a bengala.

En Perguntei a Holmes como ele poderia saber o que eu estava fazendo, sugerindo que ele devia ter olhos na nuca.

En Holmes respondeu que tinha um bule de café de prata bem polido à sua frente. Ele então me perguntou o que eu achava da bengala de nosso visitante. Já que havíamos perdido o visitante e não sabíamos nada sobre seu propósito, a bengala havia se tornado significativa. Ele me convidou a reconstruir o homem a partir de um exame dela.

En Eu disse, tentando seguir o método do meu companheiro, que o Dr. Mortimer parecia ser um médico idoso e bem-sucedido, que era muito respeitado, já que aqueles que o conheciam lhe davam esta prova de apreço.

En Holmes exclamou que aquilo era bom e excelente.

En Eu também achei provável que ele fosse um médico do interior que fazia grande parte de suas visitas a pé.

En Holmes perguntou por que eu pensava aquilo.

En Eu expliquei que a bengala, embora antes muito elegante, estava agora tão surrada que não podia imaginar um médico da cidade carregando-a. A ponta de ferro estava gasta, mostrando claramente que ele a usara para uma grande quantidade de caminhadas.

En Holmes declarou que estava em perfeitas condições.

En Ele supôs que "amigos do C.C.H." se referia ao clube de caça local, a cujos membros ele provavelmente havia prestado assistência médica, e que lhe havia dado um pequeno presente em troca.

En Holmes disse a Watson que ele havia superado a si mesmo. Ele admitiu que Watson frequentemente subestimava suas próprias habilidades nos relatos que escrevia. Ele sugeriu que, embora Watson pudesse não ser uma fonte de luz em si, ele era um condutor dela, estimulando o gênio nos outros. Holmes confessou que estava muito em dívida com Watson.

En O narrador nunca tinha ouvido tais elogios antes e sentiu grande prazer, pois muitas vezes ficara irritado com a indiferença de Holmes. Ele se orgulhava de ter dominado o sistema de Holmes o suficiente para ganhar sua aprovação. Holmes então pegou a bengala, examinou-a a olho nu, depois, com interesse, largou o cigarro, foi até a janela e a estudou com uma lente convexa.

En Voltando ao seu lugar, Holmes observou que a bengala era interessante, mas elementar. Ele notou que havia algumas indicações nela que permitiriam várias deduções.

En Watson perguntou com certa presunção se havia perdido algo e expressou sua confiança de que não havia nada importante que ele tivesse deixado passar.

En Holmes admitiu que a maioria das conclusões de Watson estava incorreta. Ele esclareceu que, quando disse que Watson o estimulava, queria dizer que observar os erros de Watson às vezes o apontava para a verdade. No entanto, ele concedeu que Watson não estava totalmente errado neste caso: o homem era de fato um médico do interior que andava muito.

En Watson concluiu que ele estava correto.

En Holmes reconheceu que Watson estava certo apenas naquele grau limitado.

En Watson então perguntou se aquilo constituía toda a extensão de suas deduções corretas.

En Holmes garantiu a Watson que nem tudo era óbvio. Ele propôs que um presente dado a um médico provavelmente vinha de um hospital, e não de um grupo de caça. Além disso, se as iniciais C.C. aparecessem antes do nome do hospital, naturalmente levaria a pensar em Charing Cross.

En Watson admitiu que Holmes poderia estar correto.

En Holmes disse que a probabilidade apontava nessa direção. Ele sugeriu que, se adotassem isso como hipótese de trabalho, teriam uma nova base para começar a construir um entendimento sobre o visitante desconhecido.

En Watson perguntou que outras conclusões eles poderiam tirar se C.C.H. realmente significasse Hospital Charing Cross.

En Holmes perguntou se nenhuma vinha à mente de Watson. Ele lembrou Watson que ele conhecia seus métodos e deveria aplicá-los.

En A única conclusão que posso tirar, que parece bastante óbvia, é que o homem havia praticado na cidade antes de se mudar para o campo.

En Ele propôs que eles olhassem para a situação de um ângulo diferente. Ele perguntou em que ocasião seria mais provável que tal presente fosse dado, sugerindo que coincidia com o Dr. Mortimer deixando o hospital para iniciar sua própria prática. Como se sabia que uma apresentação havia ocorrido e uma mudança de um hospital da cidade para uma prática no campo havia acontecido, ele questionou se era demais inferir que o presente foi dado por ocasião dessa mudança.

En A outra pessoa concordou que parecia provável.

En Ele observou que o homem não poderia ter sido um membro sênior da equipe do hospital, pois apenas médicos bem estabelecidos de Londres ocupavam tais posições e eles não se mudariam para o campo. Portanto, ele devia ser um cirurgião interno ou médico interno, pouco mais que um estudante sênior. A bengala estava datada de cinco anos atrás, então a imagem de um médico de família sério e de meia-idade desapareceu, substituída por um jovem com menos de trinta anos, amigável, sem ambições, distraído, com um cachorro maior que um terrier, mas menor que um mastim.

En Eu ri incrédulo enquanto Sherlock Holmes se reclinou em seu sofá e soprava anéis de fumaça fracos e ondulantes em direção ao teto.

En Admiti que não podia verificar a última parte de sua afirmação, mas notei que era bastante simples descobrir alguns detalhes sobre a idade e a história profissional do homem. Da minha pequena estante de medicina, peguei o Diretório Médico e procurei o nome. Havia vários Mortimers, mas apenas um poderia ser nosso visitante. Li sua entrada em voz alta.

En A entrada dizia: 'Mortimer, James, M.R.C.S., 1882, Grimpen, Dartmoor, Devon. Cirurgião interno no Hospital Charing Cross de 1882 a 1884. Vencedor do prêmio Jackson de Patologia Comparada por um ensaio intitulado "A Doença é uma Reversão?" Membro correspondente da Sociedade Sueca de Patologia. Autor de "Algumas Aberrações do Atavismo" (Lancet 1882) e "Nós Progredimos?" (Journal of Psychology, março de 1883). Oficial Médico das paróquias de Grimpen, Thorsley e High Barrow.'

En Holmes comentou com um sorriso malicioso que não havia menção à caça local, mas que era um médico do interior, exatamente como Watson havia observado astutamente. Ele sentiu que suas inferências eram bastante justificadas. Ele resumiu o homem como amigável, sem ambições e distraído. Em sua experiência, apenas uma pessoa amigável recebe testemunhos, apenas uma sem ambições abandona uma carreira em Londres pelo interior, e apenas uma distraída deixa sua bengala para trás em vez do cartão de visita depois de esperar uma hora.

En Watson perguntou sobre o cão.

En Holmes explicou que o cachorro tinha o hábito de carregar a bengala atrás de seu dono. Como a bengala era pesada, o cachorro a segurava firmemente pelo meio, deixando marcas de dentes claramente visíveis. O espaço da mandíbula entre essas marcas era muito largo para um terrier e não largo o suficiente para um mastim. Ele pensou que poderia ser—e então declarou que era um spaniel de pelo encaracolado.

En Ele se levantou e andou pela sala enquanto falava. Então, parou no vão da janela. A convicção em sua voz era tão forte que o narrador olhou para cima surpreso.

En O narrador perguntou ao amigo como ele podia estar tão certo.

En Ele explicou que podia ver o próprio cão na porta de casa e ouviu a campainha. Implorou a Watson que não se mexesse, dizendo que o visitante era um colega médico e que a presença de Watson poderia ajudar. Descreveu isso como um momento dramático do destino, quando um passo na escada pode mudar a vida de alguém para melhor ou para pior. Então, perguntou o que o Dr. James Mortimer, um homem da ciência, queria de Sherlock Holmes, o especialista em crimes, e o convidou para entrar.

En O visitante surpreendeu o narrador, que esperava um típico médico do interior. Ele era muito alto e magro, com um nariz em forma de bico e olhos cinzentos perspicazes atrás de óculos de aro dourado. Suas roupas profissionais estavam surradas e desgastadas. Embora jovem, suas costas já estavam curvadas, e ele andava com a cabeça inclinada para a frente, com um ar benevolente. Ao entrar, viu a bengala na mão de Holmes e correu até ela alegremente, exclamando que estava feliz por tê-la encontrado, pois não tinha certeza se a havia deixado ali ou no Escritório de Navegação, e não a perderia por nada.

En Holmes observou que a bengala parecia ser um presente.

En Ele afirmou.

En Holmes perguntou se era do Hospital Charing Cross.

En Ele explicou que os presentes eram de alguns amigos que compareceram ao seu casamento.

En Holmes balançou a cabeça e comentou que isso era infeliz.

En Dr. Mortimer piscou com leve surpresa e perguntou por que Holmes considerava aquilo ruim.

En Holmes comentou que o casamento do visitante havia perturbado suas deduções e pediu confirmação de que o visitante era casado.

En O visitante confirmou que havia se casado e, como resultado, deixou o hospital, abandonando qualquer esperança de estabelecer uma prática de consultoria. Ele explicou que precisava criar um lar para si.

En Holmes respondeu que suas deduções não estavam totalmente incorretas e, em seguida, dirigiu-se ao visitante como Dr. James Mortimer.

En O visitante corrigiu Holmes, insistindo que deveria ser chamado de Senhor, não Doutor, e descreveu-se como um humilde Membro do Royal College of Surgeons.

En Holmes observou que o visitante era evidentemente um homem de pensamento preciso e metódico.

En O visitante se descreveu como um cientista casual, alguém que coleta conchas na praia do grande oceano desconhecido. Ele perguntou se estava falando com o Sr. Sherlock Holmes.

En Holmes respondeu que a pessoa com quem ele estava falando era seu amigo, Dr. Watson.

En O visitante expressou prazer em conhecer o Dr. Watson e disse que tinha ouvido seu nome mencionado junto com o de Holmes. Ele se dirigiu diretamente a Holmes, afirmando que o achava muito interessante. Observou que não esperava um crânio tão longo ou cristas supraorbitais tão proeminentes. Perguntou se poderia passar o dedo ao longo da sutura no topo do crânio de Holmes. Acrescentou que uma réplica do crânio de Holmes seria uma bela adição a qualquer museu antropológico, e admitiu que a desejava.

En Holmes fez um gesto para que o estranho visitante se sentasse. Observou que o homem era um entusiasta em sua própria área, assim como Holmes era na dele. Notou pelo dedo indicador do visitante que ele mesmo enrolava seus cigarros e deu-lhe permissão para acender um.

En O homem tirou seu papel e fumo e os torceu juntos com habilidade surpreendente. Seus longos dedos trêmulos eram tão rápidos e inquietos quanto as antenas de um inseto.

En Holmes permaneceu em silêncio, embora seus olhares rápidos revelassem seu fascínio pelo curioso companheiro. Por fim, perguntou se o homem lhe fizera a honra de vir na noite passada e novamente hoje apenas para examinar seu crânio.

En O visitante garantiu a Holmes que também ficara feliz por ter tido essa oportunidade. Ele explicou que viera porque se considerava um homem pouco prático e de repente se deparara com um problema grave e extraordinário. Além disso, reconheceu Holmes como o segundo maior especialista da Europa.

En Holmes respondeu bruscamente, perguntando quem tinha a honra de ser o primeiro.

En O visitante respondeu que, para uma mente verdadeiramente científica, o trabalho do Monsieur Bertillon seria sempre muito atraente.

En Holmes sugeriu então que talvez o visitante devesse consultá-lo em vez disso.

En O orador dirigiu-se a Holmes, observando que estava falando com uma mente precisamente científica, mas reconheceu que Holmes também era incomparável como homem prático. Ele expressou esperança de não ter inadvertidamente causado ofensa.

En Holmes respondeu que entendia um pouco. Ele aconselhou o Dr. Mortimer a explicar a natureza exata do problema para o qual precisava de sua assistência, sem mais demora.

En Capítulo II

A Maldição dos Baskerville

En O Dr. James Mortimer anunciou que tinha um manuscrito no bolso.

En Holmes reconheceu que tinha notado isso quando Mortimer entrou na sala.

En Ele o descreveu como um manuscrito antigo.

En Ele o datou do início do século XVIII, acrescentando que poderia ser uma falsificação.

En A outra pessoa perguntou como ele podia fazer tal afirmação.

En Ele explicou que, enquanto o outro falava, ele só havia visto uma pequena parte do documento, mas um especialista competente geralmente conseguia datar um manuscrito dentro de uma década. Ele mencionou sua própria monografia sobre o assunto e estimou que fosse de 1730.

En Dr. Mortimer o corrigiu, afirmando que a data era exatamente 1742, e tirou o documento do bolso. Ele explicou que Sir Charles Baskerville lhe havia confiado esse documento de família. Sir Charles havia morrido subitamente três meses antes, causando grande agitação. Dr. Mortimer era tanto seu amigo quanto seu médico. Ele descreveu Sir Charles como um homem forte, astuto, prático e nada imaginativo. No entanto, Sir Charles levara o documento a sério e se preparara mentalmente para o fim trágico que o acometeu.

En Holmes pegou o manuscrito e o esticou sobre o joelho. Ele apontou para Watson o uso variado das formas longa e curta da letra 's', explicando que esta era uma das pistas que lhe permitiram determinar a idade do documento.

En Olhei por cima do ombro dele para o papel amarelado com sua caligrafia desbotada. No topo estava escrito 'Baskerville Hall', e abaixo disso, em grandes numerais desordenados, o ano de 1742.

En Comentei que parecia ser algum tipo de declaração ou relatório.

En Holmes confirmou que era uma declaração sobre uma lenda que havia sido transmitida pela família Baskerville.

En Perguntei então se ele pretendia me consultar sobre algo mais recente e prático.

En O orador descreveu o assunto como muito moderno e prático, que precisava de uma decisão em vinte e quatro horas. Ele disse que o breve manuscrito estava intimamente ligado ao caso e pediu permissão para lê-lo.

En Holmes recostou-se na cadeira, juntou as pontas dos dedos e fechou os olhos como se aceitasse algo. O Dr. Mortimer virou o manuscrito em direção à luz e leu a seguinte história antiga curiosa em uma voz alta e trêmula.

En O escritor, um descendente direto de Hugo Baskerville, afirmou que existiam muitos relatos sobre a origem do Cão, mas ele acreditava que sua versão era verdadeira, conforme transmitida por seu pai. Ele exortou seus filhos a acreditarem que a justiça pune o pecado, mas também perdoa, e que nenhuma maldição é tão pesada que não possa ser removida pela oração e pelo arrependimento. Ele os aconselhou a não temer o passado, mas a serem cuidadosos no futuro, para que as paixões vis da família não causassem ruína novamente.

En Durante a Grande Rebelião, o Solar de Baskerville pertencia a Hugo, um homem selvagem, profano e ímpio, com um humor cruel. Ele se apaixonou pela filha de um fazendeiro vizinho, mas ela o evitava por causa de sua reputação maligna. No Dia de São Miguel, Hugo e seus companheiros a roubaram de sua casa enquanto sua família estava ausente. Levaram-na para o Solar, colocaram-na em um cômodo superior e iniciaram uma farra. A donzela, aterrorizada com seus gritos e juramentos, eventualmente escapou descendo pela hera na parede sul e depois correu três léguas através do brejo até a fazenda de seu pai.

En Mais tarde, Hugo deixou seus convidados para levar comida e bebida à sua cativa, mas a encontrou desaparecida. Enfurecido, ele desceu as escadas correndo, pulou sobre a mesa e declarou que daria seu corpo e alma aos Poderes do Mal se conseguisse pegá-la. Um de seus companheiros bêbados sugeriu soltar os cães atrás dela. Hugo então saiu correndo, ordenou seus cavalos e cães, deu-lhes o lenço da donzela para seguir seu cheiro, e cavalgou sob o luar através do pântano com os cães em plena perseguição.

En Por um momento, o grupo ficou em silêncio atordoado, incapaz de compreender o que acabara de acontecer tão rapidamente. Mas logo suas mentes confusas entenderam o terrível ato prestes a acontecer no pântano. Tudo se tornou caótico, com alguns pedindo pistolas, outros cavalos, e ainda outros outra garrafa de vinho. Eventualmente, alguma sanidade retornou, e todos os treze montaram em seus cavalos e partiram em perseguição. A lua brilhava intensamente acima deles enquanto cavalgavam lado a lado, seguindo a rota que a jovem devia ter tomado para chegar em casa.

En Depois de viajar uma ou duas milhas, eles encontraram um pastor que estava no pântano à noite. Gritaram para perguntar se ele tinha visto a perseguição. Segundo a história, o pastor estava tão apavorado que mal conseguia falar, mas finalmente disse que de fato vira a infeliz garota com os cães a seguindo. Ele acrescentou que vira ainda mais: Hugo Baskerville passara por ele em sua égua preta, e correndo silenciosamente atrás estava um cão do inferno, uma criatura que o pastor rezava para Deus nunca deixar chegar perto dele.

En Os fidalgos bêbados amaldiçoaram o pastor e seguiram adiante. Mas logo sentiram um calafrio de medo, pois do outro lado do pântano veio o som de galope, e a égua preta de Hugo, coberta de espuma branca, passou por eles com rédeas arrastando e sela vazia. Os homens se aproximaram mais, tomados por um grande pavor, mas continuaram a seguir pelo pântano, embora cada um ficasse feliz em voltar se estivesse sozinho. Cavalgando lentamente assim, finalmente encontraram os cães. Esses cães, geralmente conhecidos por sua bravura, estavam amontoados gemendo na borda de uma depressão profunda, que o povo chamava de 'goyal'. Alguns se esgueiravam para longe, enquanto outros, com pelos eriçados e olhos fixos, olhavam para baixo no estreito vale à frente.

En O grupo parou, agora muito mais sóbrio do que quando começaram. A maioria se recusou a ir mais longe, mas três dos mais corajosos, ou talvez os mais bêbados, cavalgaram para dentro do goyal. Ele se abriu em uma clareira larga onde duas grandes pedras estavam, colocadas há muito tempo por um povo esquecido. A lua brilhava intensamente no espaço, e no centro jazia a infeliz garota, morta de medo e exaustão. No entanto, não foi o corpo dela, nem o corpo de Hugo Baskerville caído próximo, que fez o cabelo dos três homens imprudentes se arrepiar. Foi a visão de uma criatura hedionda parada sobre Hugo, rasgando sua garganta: uma grande besta negra em forma de cão, mas maior do que qualquer cão que olhos mortais já viram. Enquanto observavam, a coisa arrancou a garganta de Hugo Baskerville. Então virou seus olhos flamejantes e mandíbulas gotejantes para eles, e os três homens gritaram de terror e fugiram pelo pântano, ainda gritando. Diz-se que um deles morreu naquela mesma noite de choque, e os outros dois ficaram destruídos pelo resto de suas vidas.

En Essa, meus filhos, é a história de como o cão veio a atormentar nossa família tão terrivelmente desde então. Escrevi-a porque o que é claramente conhecido é menos assustador do que o que é apenas insinuado ou adivinhado. Não se pode negar que muitos membros de nossa família tiveram fins infelizes, súbitos, sangrentos e misteriosos. No entanto, podemos nos confortar na bondade infinita da Providência, que não punirá os inocentes para sempre, apenas até a terceira ou quarta geração, como ameaça a Escritura Sagrada. A essa Providência eu os entrego, e os aconselho como advertência a evitar cruzar o pântano durante aquelas horas escuras em que os poderes do mal estão mais fortes.

En Hugo Baskerville escreveu uma carta para seus filhos Rodger e John, instruindo-os a não contar à irmã Elizabeth sobre seu conteúdo.

En Após terminar a leitura da história incomum, Dr. Mortimer empurrou os óculos para a testa e olhou fixamente para Sherlock Holmes. Holmes bocejou e jogou a ponta do cigarro no fogo.

En Holmes perguntou o que ele achava disso.

En Dr. Mortimer perguntou se Holmes não achava interessante.

En Holmes respondeu que um colecionador de contos de fadas poderia achar interessante.

En Dr. Mortimer tirou um jornal dobrado do bolso.

En Dr. Mortimer anunciou que mostraria a Holmes algo mais recente. Ele apresentou o Devon County Chronicle de 14 de maio daquele ano, que continha um breve relato dos fatos descobertos após a morte de Sir Charles Baskerville alguns dias antes.

En Holmes inclinou-se para a frente com uma expressão concentrada. O visitante ajustou os óculos e começou a ler.

En O artigo noticiava que a morte súbita de Sir Charles Baskerville lançara uma sombra sobre o condado. Embora ele tivesse vivido em Baskerville Hall por pouco tempo, sua bondade e generosidade lhe renderam grande afeição. Ele fizera fortuna em especulações na África do Sul e, ao contrário de muitos, retornara à Inglaterra para restaurar a antiga glória de sua família. Residira no casarão por apenas dois anos e tinha planos ambiciosos de reconstrução, interrompidos por sua morte. Não tendo filhos, manifestara o desejo de que a comunidade se beneficiasse de sua riqueza, e muitos tinham motivos pessoais para lamentar seu fim prematuro. Suas doações a instituições de caridade locais eram frequentemente mencionadas no jornal.

En O artigo afirmava que o inquérito não explicara completamente as circunstâncias da morte de Sir Charles, mas dissipara rumores alimentados pela superstição local. Não havia motivo para suspeitar de crime; a morte provavelmente fora por causas naturais. Sir Charles, viúvo, era um tanto excêntrico e, apesar de sua riqueza, vivia de forma simples. Seus únicos empregados domésticos eram um casal, os Barrymore, que atuavam como mordomo e governanta. O depoimento deles, apoiado por amigos, indicava que a saúde de Sir Charles vinha piorando, especialmente uma condição cardíaca que causava alterações na cor da pele, falta de ar e crises de depressão nervosa. O Dr. James Mortimer, seu amigo e médico, deu testemunho semelhante.

En Os fatos do caso eram diretos. Todas as noites, antes de se recolher, Sir Charles Baskerville costumava caminhar pela famosa alameda de teixos de Baskerville Hall. Esse era seu hábito estabelecido, conforme confirmado pelo depoimento dos Barrymore. No dia quatro de maio, Sir Charles anunciou seu plano de partir para Londres no dia seguinte e instruiu Barrymore a preparar sua bagagem. Naquela noite, ele saiu para seu passeio habitual, durante o qual normalmente fumava um charuto. Ele nunca mais voltou. À meia-noite, Barrymore notou que a porta do salão ainda estava aberta, ficou alarmado e pegou uma lanterna para procurar seu mestre. O chão estava molhado, tornando fáceis de seguir as pegadas de Sir Charles ao longo da alameda. Mais ou menos na metade do caminho, havia um portão que levava ao brejo; sinais indicavam que Sir Charles havia parado ali brevemente. Ele então continuou pela alameda, e seu corpo foi descoberto na extremidade oposta. Um detalhe não explicado foi a observação de Barrymore de que as pegadas de seu mestre mudaram depois de passar pelo portão do brejo, como se ele tivesse começado a andar na ponta dos pés. Um negociante de cavalos cigano chamado Murphy estava no brejo não muito longe, mas por sua própria admissão ele havia bebido. Ele afirmou ter ouvido gritos, mas não soube dizer de que direção vinham. Nenhum sinal de violência foi encontrado no corpo de Sir Charles. Embora o médico tenha notado uma distorção facial quase inacreditável — tão severa que o Dr. Mortimer inicialmente se recusou a acreditar que era seu amigo e paciente — isso foi explicado como um sintoma não incomum em casos de dispneia e morte por insuficiência cardíaca. Essa explicação foi apoiada pela autópsia, que revelou doença orgânica de longa data, e o júri do legista devolveu um veredito consistente com as evidências médicas. Isso foi afortunado, pois era importante que o herdeiro de Sir Charles se estabelecesse no Hall e continuasse o bom trabalho que havia sido tão tristemente interrompido. Se a conclusão prosaica do legista não tivesse finalmente posto fim às histórias românticas sussurradas em torno do caso, poderia ter sido difícil encontrar um inquilino para Baskerville Hall. Entendia-se que o parente mais próximo era o Sr. Henry Baskerville, se ainda estivesse vivo, filho do irmão mais novo de Sir Charles. O jovem havia sido visto pela última vez na América, e estavam sendo feitas investigações para informá-lo de sua boa fortuna.

En O Dr. Mortimer redobrou seu papel e o colocou de volta no bolso, afirmando que esses eram os fatos públicos relativos à morte de Sir Charles Baskerville.

En Sherlock Holmes agradeceu ao Dr. Mortimer por chamar sua atenção para um caso que certamente apresentava algumas características interessantes. Ele mencionou que havia notado alguns comentários de jornal na época, mas estava extremamente preocupado com o pequeno caso dos camafeus do Vaticano e, em seu desejo de agradar o Papa, perdeu contato com vários casos ingleses intrigantes. Em seguida, perguntou se o artigo continha todos os fatos públicos.

En O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que sim.

En Holmes então pediu os detalhes particulares. Ele se recostou na cadeira, juntou as pontas dos dedos e assumiu sua expressão mais impassível e judicial.

En Dr. Mortimer explicou que ele guardou segredos porque não queria parecer apoiar uma superstição em público, e também para proteger a reputação de Baskerville Hall. Agora ele sentia que podia ser completamente honesto com Holmes.

En Dr. Mortimer descreveu o pântano como escassamente povoado, então os vizinhos se conheciam bem. Ele passava muito tempo com Sir Charles Baskerville, já que os únicos outros homens educados por perto eram o Sr. Frankland e o naturalista Sr. Stapleton. Sir Charles era reservado, mas sua doença e interesses científicos em comum os aproximaram. Eles frequentemente passavam as noites discutindo o conhecimento científico que Sir Charles trouxera da África do Sul.

En Nos últimos meses, o Dr. Mortimer percebeu que os nervos de Sir Charles estavam extremamente tensionados. Ele levou muito a sério a lenda da família, recusando-se a ir ao pântano à noite, embora andasse em suas próprias terras. Ele verdadeiramente acreditava que sua família estava amaldiçoada, e a história de seus ancestrais não o tranquilizava em nada. Ele era assombrado pela ideia de uma presença fantasmagórica e repetidamente perguntava ao Dr. Mortimer se ele já tinha visto uma criatura estranha ou ouvido o latido de um cão durante suas visitas noturnas, com a voz tremendo de excitação.

En O Dr. Mortimer lembrou-se de ter ido de carro até a casa de Sir Charles uma noite, cerca de três semanas antes de sua morte. Sir Charles estava na porta e olhou por cima do Dr. Mortimer com grande horror. O Dr. Mortimer virou-se e vislumbrou o que parecia ser um grande bezerro preto no final da entrada. Sir Charles ficou tão alarmado que o Dr. Mortimer foi procurar, mas não encontrou nada. O incidente afetou profundamente Sir Charles, e naquela noite ele confiou ao Dr. Mortimer a narrativa que Holmes havia ouvido. O Dr. Mortimer achou isso trivial na época, mas depois se tornou significativo.

En Seguindo o conselho do Dr. Mortimer, Sir Charles planejava ir para Londres. Seu coração estava fraco e a preocupação constante havia prejudicado sua saúde. O Dr. Mortimer e o Sr. Stapleton, um amigo em comum, acreditavam que alguns meses na cidade o ajudariam a se recuperar. Mas no último momento, a terrível tragédia ocorreu.

En O Dr. Mortimer explicou que, na noite em que Sir Charles morreu, o mordomo Barrymore, que descobriu o corpo, enviou o cavalariço Perkins para buscá-lo a cavalo. Como ele ainda estava acordado tarde, chegou a Baskerville Hall dentro de uma hora do ocorrido. Ele verificou todos os fatos apresentados no inquérito. Seguiu as pegadas ao longo da alameda de teixos, viu o local no portão do pântano onde Sir Charles parecia ter esperado, notou a mudança nas pegadas além daquele ponto e observou que apenas as pegadas de Barrymore estavam no cascalho macio. Finalmente, examinou cuidadosamente o corpo, que não havia sido tocado antes de sua chegada. Sir Charles estava deitado de bruços, com os braços estendidos, os dedos cravados no chão e o rosto tão distorcido por alguma forte emoção que o Dr. Mortimer mal conseguia identificá-lo. Não havia nenhum ferimento físico. No entanto, Barrymore fez uma declaração falsa no inquérito: disse que não havia vestígios no chão perto do corpo. Ele não havia notado nenhum, mas o Dr. Mortimer encontrou alguns — a uma curta distância, frescos e nítidos.

En Ele perguntou se eram pegadas.

En O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que eram de fato pegadas.

En Alguém perguntou se as pegadas pertenciam a um homem ou a uma mulher.

En O Dr. Mortimer olhou para eles de forma estranha por um momento, depois baixou a voz quase a um sussurro enquanto respondia.

En O visitante informou a Holmes que as pegadas pertenciam a um cão enorme.

En Capítulo III

O Problema

En O narrador admitiu que as palavras do médico o fizeram estremecer. A voz do médico tremia, mostrando que ele estava profundamente afetado por sua história. Holmes inclinou-se para a frente, seus olhos brilhando de empolgação, como costumavam fazer quando ele estava intensamente envolvido.

En Holmes perguntou se o homem havia testemunhado aquilo.

En O homem respondeu que havia visto aquilo tão distintamente quanto podia ver Holmes.

En Ele perguntou se a pessoa não havia dito nada.

En Ele respondeu que não havia benefício em dizer nada.

En Ele se perguntou por que ninguém mais havia visto aquilo.

En Ele explicou que as marcas estavam a cerca de vinte jardas do corpo e que ninguém lhes havia dado atenção. Ele acrescentou que ele próprio provavelmente não as teria notado se não conhecesse a lenda.

En Ele questionou se havia muitos cães pastores no pântano.

En Ele afirmou categoricamente que não era um cão pastor.

En Ela perguntou se era de tamanho considerável.

En Ele respondeu que era enorme.

En Ele perguntou se a criatura havia mantido distância do cadáver.

En Ela respondeu negativamente.

En Ele indagou sobre o caráter da noite.

En Foi descrita como úmida e fria.

En Ele perguntou se realmente tinha chovido.

En A resposta foi que não.

En Ele perguntou como era o beco.

En Havia duas fileiras de sebes de teixo velhas, cada uma com doze pés de altura e tão densas que ninguém conseguia passar por elas. O caminho entre elas tinha cerca de oito pés de largura.

En Ele se perguntou se havia algo entre as sebes e a passagem.

En Foi-lhe dito que de cada lado havia uma faixa de grama com aproximadamente seis pés de largura.

En Ele perguntou se a sebe de teixo era interrompida por um portão em algum ponto.

En Sim, havia um portão pequeno que dava para a charneca.

En Ele perguntou se existia alguma outra saída.

En Ele foi informado de que não havia nenhuma.

En Ele então perguntou se para chegar ao beco dos teixos era necessário vir da casa ou entrar pelo portão do campo.

En Foi explicado que também havia uma saída através de uma casa de veraneio no extremo oposto.

En Ele queria saber se Sir Charles tinha alcançado aquela saída.

En Ele respondeu que o homem estava a cerca de cinquenta jardas daquele local.

En Holmes então fez ao Dr. Mortimer uma pergunta crucial: se as marcas estavam no caminho e não na grama.

En O Dr. Mortimer explicou que nenhuma marca apareceria na grama.

En Holmes perguntou se as marcas estavam no mesmo lado do caminho que o portão do pântano.

En O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que elas estavam na borda do caminho, no mesmo lado que o portão do pântano.

En Ele expressou grande interesse e perguntou se o portãozinho estava fechado.

En Estava fechado e trancado com um cadeado.

En Ele perguntou sobre sua altura.

En Tinha aproximadamente quatro pés de altura.

En Ele raciocinou que qualquer um poderia ter pulado por cima.

En Ele confirmou que sim.

En Ele perguntou que marcas tinham sido observadas perto do portão.

En Ele respondeu que não havia nenhuma de importância.

En Ele expressou espanto por ninguém ter examinado a área.

En Ele afirmou que ele próprio tinha conduzido um exame.

En Ele perguntou se eles haviam descoberto alguma coisa.

En A cena era desconcertante; Sir Charles aparentemente permaneceu naquele local por cinco ou dez minutos.

En Ele perguntou como o interlocutor havia determinado isso.

En Ele explicou que a cinza do charuto de Sir Charles havia caído duas vezes.

En Ele elogiou a observação, chamando Watson de espírito afim, e então perguntou sobre as pegadas.

En Ele afirmou que a pessoa havia deixado suas próprias marcas por todo aquele pequeno pedaço de cascalho, e ele não conseguia ver nenhuma outra.

En Sherlock Holmes bateu a mão contra o joelho de forma impaciente.

En Holmes exclamou que desejava ter estado lá. Ele disse que era claramente um caso de interesse extraordinário, oferecendo grandes oportunidades para um perito científico. Aquela página de cascalho, da qual ele poderia ter lido tanto, já havia sido manchada pela chuva e desfigurada pelos tamancos de camponeses curiosos. Ele repreendeu o Dr. Mortimer por não o ter chamado, insistindo que Mortimer tinha muito a responder.

En O Dr. Mortimer respondeu que não poderia chamar Holmes sem revelar aqueles fatos ao mundo, e já havia explicado por que não desejava fazer isso. Ele hesitou novamente.

En Holmes perguntou por que ele estava hesitando.

En Holmes observou que havia um domínio onde mesmo o detetive mais perspicaz e experiente não podia fazer nada.

En A outra pessoa perguntou se Holmes acreditava que o evento era sobrenatural.

En Holmes respondeu que não havia feito tal afirmação explicitamente.

En A outra pessoa insistiu que Holmes obviamente pensava assim, mesmo que não tivesse dito.

En A pessoa informou Holmes que, desde a tragédia, eles souberam de vários incidentes que eram difíceis de encaixar no curso normal da natureza.

En Ele pediu um exemplo.

En Ele disse que, antes do evento trágico, várias pessoas tinham visto uma criatura no pântano que combinava com o demônio de Baskerville e não podia ser nenhum animal conhecido. Todos a descreveram como enorme, brilhante e fantasmagórica. Ele havia interrogado esses homens — um fazendeiro prático, um ferrador e um lavrador do pântano — e todos contaram a mesma história de uma aparição terrível correspondente ao cão infernal da lenda. Ele garantiu que havia um reinado de terror no distrito, e apenas um homem corajoso cruzaria o pântano à noite.

En Ele perguntou se ele, como cientista treinado, acreditava que a criatura era sobrenatural.

En Ele respondeu que não sabia no que acreditar.

En Holmes deu de ombros e disse que até agora havia limitado suas investigações a este mundo. De forma modesta, ele havia combatido o mal, mas enfrentar o próprio Diabo poderia ser ambicioso demais. No entanto, ele observou que a pegada era um objeto físico e material.

En Ele observou que o cão original era tanto fisicamente real, capaz de arrancar a garganta de um homem, quanto diabólico em caráter.

En Ele observou que o Dr. Mortimer havia adotado plenamente crenças sobrenaturais. Então questionou por que, se o Dr. Mortimer tinha tais visões, ele havia vindo consultá-lo. Ele notou que o Dr. Mortimer simultaneamente afirmava que investigar a morte de Sir Charles era inútil e, no entanto, queria que ele a realizasse.

En O Dr. Mortimer negou ter expressado o desejo pela investigação.

En Ele então perguntou como poderia ser útil.

En Ele explicou que precisava de conselhos sobre como lidar com Sir Henry Baskerville, que estava programado para chegar à Estação Waterloo em exatamente uma hora e quinze minutos.

En Ele perguntou se o jovem era o herdeiro.

En Ele confirmou que o jovem era o herdeiro. Após a morte de Sir Charles, eles o localizaram e descobriram que ele estava cultivando no Canadá. Segundo os relatos, ele era um excelente homem em todos os aspectos. Ele falou não como médico, mas como curador e executor do testamento de Sir Charles.

En Ele perguntou se havia outros requerentes.

En Ele afirmou que não havia outros requerentes. O único outro parente que eles haviam localizado era Rodger Baskerville, o mais novo dos três irmãos, dos quais o pobre Sir Charles era o mais velho. O segundo irmão, que morreu jovem, era o pai de Henry. O terceiro, Rodger, era a ovelha negra da família. Ele herdou a natureza dominadora dos Baskerville e era, segundo disseram, a própria imagem do retrato do velho Hugo. Ele tornou a Inglaterra insuportável para si, fugiu para a América Central e morreu lá de febre amarela em 1876. Henry era o último dos Baskervilles. Ele iria encontrá-lo na estação Waterloo em uma hora e cinco minutos. Ele havia recebido um telegrama de que Henry havia chegado a Southampton naquela manhã. Então ele perguntou ao Sr. Holmes o que deveria fazer com ele.

En Ele questionou por que o herdeiro não deveria retornar ao seu lar ancestral.

En O palestrante observou que parecia natural, mas notou que todo Baskerville que ia para aquele lugar tinha um fim ruim. Ele tinha certeza de que Sir Charles, se tivesse podido falar antes de sua morte, teria aconselhado contra enviar o último herdeiro da família, que também era muito rico, para aquele local mortal. No entanto, o palestrante reconheceu que a prosperidade de toda a região pobre e desolada dependia de sua presença. Se ninguém morasse no Solar, todo o bom trabalho que Sir Charles havia feito seria perdido. O palestrante temia que seu próprio interesse óbvio no assunto pudesse influenciá-lo demais, e foi por isso que levou o caso a Holmes e pediu conselhos.

En Holmes refletiu por um curto período.

En Holmes declarou que, em termos simples, a questão era esta: de acordo com o palestrante, uma força diabólica tornava Dartmoor um lugar inseguro para um Baskerville. Ele perguntou se essa era realmente a opinião do palestrante.

En O palestrante respondeu que diria pelo menos que havia alguma evidência sugerindo que esse poderia ser o caso.

En Holmes concordou, mas argumentou que, se a teoria sobrenatural estivesse correta, ela poderia prejudicar o jovem em Londres tão facilmente quanto em Devonshire. Ele achou a ideia de um demônio com poderes apenas locais, como uma junta paroquial, incrível demais.

En O Dr. Mortimer sugeriu que Holmes talvez não tratasse o assunto com tanta leviandade se tivesse experiência pessoal com ele. Ele então resumiu seu entendimento de que Holmes considerava que Sir Henry estaria igualmente seguro em Devonshire ou Londres. Como Sir Henry deveria chegar em cinquenta minutos, Mortimer pediu a recomendação específica de Holmes.

En Holmes aconselhou Mortimer a pegar um táxi, recuperar seu spaniel que estava arranhando a porta da frente e ir para a Estação Waterloo encontrar Sir Henry Baskerville.

En Mortimer perguntou o que deveria fazer depois disso.

En Holmes instruiu Mortimer a não falar com Sir Henry sobre o assunto até que Holmes tivesse tomado uma decisão.

En Mortimer perguntou quanto tempo levaria para Holmes chegar a uma conclusão.

En Holmes pediu ao Dr. Mortimer que retornasse em vinte e quatro horas, especificamente às dez horas da manhã seguinte, e pediu-lhe que trouxesse Sir Henry Baskerville, pois isso o ajudaria com seus planos futuros.

En O Dr. Mortimer concordou e anotou o compromisso no punho da camisa antes de sair apressadamente em seu modo habitual estranho e distraído. No entanto, Holmes o parou no topo da escada.

En Holmes fez uma pergunta final: ele queria confirmar que várias pessoas haviam afirmado ver o fantasma no pântano antes da morte de Sir Charles Baskerville.

En O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que três indivíduos de fato o viram.

En Holmes perguntou se alguém tinha visto a aparição após a morte de Sir Charles.

En Ele afirmou que não tinha ouvido falar de nada disso.

En Ele agradeceu à outra pessoa e desejou-lhe um bom dia.

En Holmes voltou ao seu lugar, com uma expressão tranquila de satisfação que indicava que ele estava prestes a se envolver em uma tarefa que apreciava.

En Holmes perguntou a Watson se ele estava saindo.

En Watson respondeu que não sairia se pudesse ser útil.

En Holmes explicou que precisaria da ajuda de Watson no momento da ação. Observou que a situação era extraordinária e única. Pediu que Watson parasse na Bradley's para comprar meio quilo de fumo forte e sugeriu que seria conveniente se Watson não voltasse até a noite. Assim, eles poderiam comparar suas ideias sobre o intrigante problema apresentado naquela manhã.

En Watson entendeu que seu amigo precisava de reclusão e solidão durante os períodos de intensa concentração mental, quando ele pesava cada evidência, construía teorias alternativas, as equilibrava e determinava quais pontos eram essenciais. Portanto, Watson passou o dia em seu clube e não voltou à Baker Street até quase nove horas da noite.

En Ao abrir a porta, a primeira impressão de Watson foi que um incêndio havia começado, pois o quarto estava tão cheio de fumaça que a luz do lampião parecia borrada. No entanto, ao entrar, seus medos foram aliviados quando percebeu que os vapores acre do tabaco forte e grosso lhe pegavam na garganta e o faziam tossir. Através da neblina, ele viu vagamente Holmes em seu roupão, enrolado numa poltrona com seu cachimbo de barro preto entre os lábios, cercado por vários rolos de papel.

En Holmes perguntou a Watson se ele havia pegado um resfriado.

En Watson respondeu que era a atmosfera venenosa no quarto.

En Ele admitiu que era muito grave, agora que havia sido apontado.

En Ele exclamou que era absolutamente insuportável.

En Ele disse à outra pessoa para abrir a janela, observando que podia perceber que ela havia passado o dia no clube.

En A outra pessoa se dirigiu a Holmes com surpresa e familiaridade.

En Holmes perguntou se sua observação estava correta.

En Ele concordou, mas questionou como isso poderia ser feito.

En Holmes riu da confusão de Watson e disse que era prazeroso usar suas habilidades para provocá-lo por sua ingenuidade revigorante. Ele observou que, se um homem sai em um dia chuvoso e enlameado e retorna à noite com seu chapéu e botas ainda limpos e brilhantes, ele deve ter ficado dentro de casa o dia todo. O homem não tinha amigos próximos, então Holmes perguntou onde mais ele poderia estar.

En Watson admitiu que era bastante óbvio.

En Holmes comentou que o mundo está cheio de coisas óbvias que ninguém nunca nota e então perguntou a Watson onde ele achava que o próprio Holmes havia estado.

En Watson respondeu que Holmes também deve ter ficado em um só lugar.

En Ele contradisse a suposição, afirmando que na verdade havia estado em Devonshire.

En O outro indagou se ele queria dizer em espírito.

En Ele confirmou, observando que seu corpo havia permanecido na poltrona e, lamentava dizer, consumido dois grandes potes de café e uma quantidade extraordinária de tabaco durante sua ausência. Depois que o outro partiu, ele mandou buscar um mapa topográfico daquela parte do pântano, e sua mente pairou sobre ele o dia inteiro. Ele se gabava de que poderia se orientar.

En O outro presumiu que era um mapa em grande escala.

En Ele confirmou que era de fato muito grande.

En Ele desenrolou uma seção do mapa e, segurando-a sobre o joelho, indicou a área de interesse. Baskerville Hall, explicou, estava situado no centro.

En Alguém perguntou se havia um bosque ao redor do solar.

En Ele confirmou que a alameda de teixos, embora não estivesse marcada como tal, provavelmente seguia aquela linha, com o brejo à direita. Apontou Grimpen, onde Mortimer residia, e notou habitações esparsas: Lafter Hall, a casa do naturalista Stapleton, e duas fazendas, High Tor e Foulmire. A catorze milhas de distância ficava a prisão de Princetown. Ele descreveu a área intermediária como um brejo desolado e sem vida, o palco onde uma tragédia ocorrera e onde eles poderiam se envolver novamente.

En Um ouvinte comentou que devia ser um lugar selvagem.

En Ele concordou que o cenário era adequado, acrescentando que, se o diabo desejasse se intrometer nos assuntos humanos...

En Ele observou que a outra pessoa parecia estar inclinada a uma explicação sobrenatural.

En Ele argumentou que agentes do mal poderiam ser humanos, e levantou duas questões iniciais: se algum crime havia ocorrido e qual era o crime e como foi cometido. Se a suspeita do Dr. Mortimer sobre forças sobrenaturais estivesse correta, a investigação terminaria. Mas eles deveriam considerar todas as outras possibilidades primeiro. Ele fechou a janela, explicando que uma atmosfera concentrada ajuda a concentração, embora não tivesse ido ao ponto de entrar em uma caixa para pensar. Então perguntou se o outro havia considerado o caso.

En Ele respondeu que passara grande parte do dia considerando o assunto.

En Ele pediu a opinião dele sobre o assunto.

En Ele admitiu que achava a situação muito perplexa.

En O orador observou que as pegadas tinham um caráter distinto. Ele apontou uma mudança nas pegadas e pediu uma interpretação.

Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Português

O Sr. Sherlock Holmes, que normalmente se levantava muito tarde, a menos que tivesse passado a noite acordado, estava sentado à mesa do café da manhã. Eu fiquei em pé sobre o tapete da lareira e peguei a bengala que nosso visitante havia deixado na noite anterior. Era um pedaço de madeira fino e grosso, com uma cabeça bulbosa, conhecido como Penang lawyer. Logo abaixo da cabeça havia uma larga faixa de prata de quase uma polegada de largura. Gravado nela estava uma inscrição indicando que foi presenteada a James Mortimer por seus amigos do C.C.H., datada de 1884. Era o tipo de bengala que um médico de família antiquado costumava carregar—digna, sólida e reconfortante.

Original English

Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was seated at the breakfast table. I stood upon the hearthrug and picked up the stick which our visitor had left behind him the night before. It was a fine, thick piece of wood, bulbous-headed, of the sort which is known as a “Penang lawyer.” Just under the head was a broad silver band nearly an inch across. “To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of the C.C.H.,” was engraved upon it, with the date “1884.” It was just such a stick as the old-fashioned family practitioner used to carry—dignified, solid, and reassuring.

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Português

Holmes me perguntou qual era minha avaliação sobre a bengala.

Original English

“Well, Watson, what do you make of it?”

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Português

Holmes estava sentado de costas para mim, e eu não havia dado sinal de que estava ocupado com a bengala.

Original English

Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I had given him no sign of my occupation.

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Português

Perguntei a Holmes como ele poderia saber o que eu estava fazendo, sugerindo que ele devia ter olhos na nuca.

Original English

“How did you know what I was doing? I believe you have eyes in the back of your head.”

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Português

Holmes respondeu que tinha um bule de café de prata bem polido à sua frente. Ele então me perguntou o que eu achava da bengala de nosso visitante. Já que havíamos perdido o visitante e não sabíamos nada sobre seu propósito, a bengala havia se tornado significativa. Ele me convidou a reconstruir o homem a partir de um exame dela.

Original English

“I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated coffeepot in front of me,” said he. “But, tell me, Watson, what do you make of our visitor’s stick? Since we have been so unfortunate as to miss him and have no notion of his errand, this accidental souvenir becomes of importance. Let me hear you reconstruct the man by an examination of it.”

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Português

Eu disse, tentando seguir o método do meu companheiro, que o Dr. Mortimer parecia ser um médico idoso e bem-sucedido, que era muito respeitado, já que aqueles que o conheciam lhe davam esta prova de apreço.

Original English

“I think,” said I, following as far as I could the methods of my companion, “that Dr. Mortimer is a successful, elderly medical man, well-esteemed since those who know him give him this mark of their appreciation.”

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Português

Holmes exclamou que aquilo era bom e excelente.

Original English

“Good!” said Holmes. “Excellent!”

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Português

Eu também achei provável que ele fosse um médico do interior que fazia grande parte de suas visitas a pé.

Original English

“I think also that the probability is in favour of his being a country practitioner who does a great deal of his visiting on foot.”

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Português

Holmes perguntou por que eu pensava aquilo.

Original English

“Why so?”

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Português

Eu expliquei que a bengala, embora antes muito elegante, estava agora tão surrada que não podia imaginar um médico da cidade carregando-a. A ponta de ferro estava gasta, mostrando claramente que ele a usara para uma grande quantidade de caminhadas.

Original English

“Because this stick, though originally a very handsome one has been so knocked about that I can hardly imagine a town practitioner carrying it. The thick-iron ferrule is worn down, so it is evident that he has done a great amount of walking with it.”

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Português

Holmes declarou que estava em perfeitas condições.

Original English

“Perfectly sound!” said Holmes.

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Português

Ele supôs que "amigos do C.C.H." se referia ao clube de caça local, a cujos membros ele provavelmente havia prestado assistência médica, e que lhe havia dado um pequeno presente em troca.

Original English

“And then again, there is the ‘friends of the C.C.H.’ I should guess that to be the Something Hunt, the local hunt to whose members he has possibly given some surgical assistance, and which has made him a small presentation in return.”

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Português

Holmes disse a Watson que ele havia superado a si mesmo. Ele admitiu que Watson frequentemente subestimava suas próprias habilidades nos relatos que escrevia. Ele sugeriu que, embora Watson pudesse não ser uma fonte de luz em si, ele era um condutor dela, estimulando o gênio nos outros. Holmes confessou que estava muito em dívida com Watson.

Original English

“Really, Watson, you excel yourself,” said Holmes, pushing back his chair and lighting a cigarette. “I am bound to say that in all the accounts which you have been so good as to give of my own small achievements you have habitually underrated your own abilities. It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light. Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it. I confess, my dear fellow, that I am very much in your debt.”

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Português

O narrador nunca tinha ouvido tais elogios antes e sentiu grande prazer, pois muitas vezes ficara irritado com a indiferença de Holmes. Ele se orgulhava de ter dominado o sistema de Holmes o suficiente para ganhar sua aprovação. Holmes então pegou a bengala, examinou-a a olho nu, depois, com interesse, largou o cigarro, foi até a janela e a estudou com uma lente convexa.

Original English

He had never said as much before, and I must admit that his words gave me keen pleasure, for I had often been piqued by his indifference to my admiration and to the attempts which I had made to give publicity to his methods. I was proud, too, to think that I had so far mastered his system as to apply it in a way which earned his approval. He now took the stick from my hands and examined it for a few minutes with his naked eyes. Then with an expression of interest he laid down his cigarette, and carrying the cane to the window, he looked over it again with a convex lens.

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Português

Voltando ao seu lugar, Holmes observou que a bengala era interessante, mas elementar. Ele notou que havia algumas indicações nela que permitiriam várias deduções.

Original English

“Interesting, though elementary,” said he as he returned to his favourite corner of the settee. “There are certainly one or two indications upon the stick. It gives us the basis for several deductions.”

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Português

Watson perguntou com certa presunção se havia perdido algo e expressou sua confiança de que não havia nada importante que ele tivesse deixado passar.

Original English

“Has anything escaped me?” I asked with some self-importance. “I trust that there is nothing of consequence which I have overlooked?”

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Português

Holmes admitiu que a maioria das conclusões de Watson estava incorreta. Ele esclareceu que, quando disse que Watson o estimulava, queria dizer que observar os erros de Watson às vezes o apontava para a verdade. No entanto, ele concedeu que Watson não estava totalmente errado neste caso: o homem era de fato um médico do interior que andava muito.

Original English

“I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your conclusions were erroneous. When I said that you stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in noting your fallacies I was occasionally guided towards the truth. Not that you are entirely wrong in this instance. The man is certainly a country practitioner. And he walks a good deal.”

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Português

Watson concluiu que ele estava correto.

Original English

“Then I was right.”

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Português

Holmes reconheceu que Watson estava certo apenas naquele grau limitado.

Original English

“To that extent.”

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Português

Watson então perguntou se aquilo constituía toda a extensão de suas deduções corretas.

Original English

“But that was all.”

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Português

Holmes garantiu a Watson que nem tudo era óbvio. Ele propôs que um presente dado a um médico provavelmente vinha de um hospital, e não de um grupo de caça. Além disso, se as iniciais C.C. aparecessem antes do nome do hospital, naturalmente levaria a pensar em Charing Cross.

Original English

“No, no, my dear Watson, not all—by no means all. I would suggest, for example, that a presentation to a doctor is more likely to come from a hospital than from a hunt, and that when the initials ‘C.C.’ are placed before that hospital the words ‘Charing Cross’ very naturally suggest themselves.”

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Português

Watson admitiu que Holmes poderia estar correto.

Original English

“You may be right.”

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Português

Holmes disse que a probabilidade apontava nessa direção. Ele sugeriu que, se adotassem isso como hipótese de trabalho, teriam uma nova base para começar a construir um entendimento sobre o visitante desconhecido.

Original English

“The probability lies in that direction. And if we take this as a working hypothesis we have a fresh basis from which to start our construction of this unknown visitor.”

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Português

Watson perguntou que outras conclusões eles poderiam tirar se C.C.H. realmente significasse Hospital Charing Cross.

Original English

“Well, then, supposing that ‘C.C.H.’ does stand for ‘Charing Cross Hospital,’ what further inferences may we draw?”

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Português

Holmes perguntou se nenhuma vinha à mente de Watson. Ele lembrou Watson que ele conhecia seus métodos e deveria aplicá-los.

Original English

“Do none suggest themselves? You know my methods. Apply them!”

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Português

A única conclusão que posso tirar, que parece bastante óbvia, é que o homem havia praticado na cidade antes de se mudar para o campo.

Original English

“I can only think of the obvious conclusion that the man has practised in town before going to the country.”

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Português

Ele propôs que eles olhassem para a situação de um ângulo diferente. Ele perguntou em que ocasião seria mais provável que tal presente fosse dado, sugerindo que coincidia com o Dr. Mortimer deixando o hospital para iniciar sua própria prática. Como se sabia que uma apresentação havia ocorrido e uma mudança de um hospital da cidade para uma prática no campo havia acontecido, ele questionou se era demais inferir que o presente foi dado por ocasião dessa mudança.

Original English

“I think that we might venture a little farther than this. Look at it in this light. On what occasion would it be most probable that such a presentation would be made? When would his friends unite to give him a pledge of their good will? Obviously at the moment when Dr. Mortimer withdrew from the service of the hospital in order to start a practice for himself. We know there has been a presentation. We believe there has been a change from a town hospital to a country practice. Is it, then, stretching our inference too far to say that the presentation was on the occasion of the change?”

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Português

A outra pessoa concordou que parecia provável.

Original English

“It certainly seems probable.”

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Português

Ele observou que o homem não poderia ter sido um membro sênior da equipe do hospital, pois apenas médicos bem estabelecidos de Londres ocupavam tais posições e eles não se mudariam para o campo. Portanto, ele devia ser um cirurgião interno ou médico interno, pouco mais que um estudante sênior. A bengala estava datada de cinco anos atrás, então a imagem de um médico de família sério e de meia-idade desapareceu, substituída por um jovem com menos de trinta anos, amigável, sem ambições, distraído, com um cachorro maior que um terrier, mas menor que um mastim.

Original English

“Now, you will observe that he could not have been on the staff of the hospital, since only a man well-established in a London practice could hold such a position, and such a one would not drift into the country. What was he, then? If he was in the hospital and yet not on the staff he could only have been a house-surgeon or a house-physician—little more than a senior student. And he left five years ago—the date is on the stick. So your grave, middle-aged family practitioner vanishes into thin air, my dear Watson, and there emerges a young fellow under thirty, amiable, unambitious, absentminded, and the possessor of a favourite dog, which I should describe roughly as being larger than a terrier and smaller than a mastiff.”

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Português

Eu ri incrédulo enquanto Sherlock Holmes se reclinou em seu sofá e soprava anéis de fumaça fracos e ondulantes em direção ao teto.

Original English

I laughed incredulously as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his settee and blew little wavering rings of smoke up to the ceiling.

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Português

Admiti que não podia verificar a última parte de sua afirmação, mas notei que era bastante simples descobrir alguns detalhes sobre a idade e a história profissional do homem. Da minha pequena estante de medicina, peguei o Diretório Médico e procurei o nome. Havia vários Mortimers, mas apenas um poderia ser nosso visitante. Li sua entrada em voz alta.

Original English

“As to the latter part, I have no means of checking you,” said I, “but at least it is not difficult to find out a few particulars about the man’s age and professional career.” From my small medical shelf I took down the Medical Directory and turned up the name. There were several Mortimers, but only one who could be our visitor. I read his record aloud.

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Português

A entrada dizia: 'Mortimer, James, M.R.C.S., 1882, Grimpen, Dartmoor, Devon. Cirurgião interno no Hospital Charing Cross de 1882 a 1884. Vencedor do prêmio Jackson de Patologia Comparada por um ensaio intitulado "A Doença é uma Reversão?" Membro correspondente da Sociedade Sueca de Patologia. Autor de "Algumas Aberrações do Atavismo" (Lancet 1882) e "Nós Progredimos?" (Journal of Psychology, março de 1883). Oficial Médico das paróquias de Grimpen, Thorsley e High Barrow.'

Original English

“Mortimer, James, M.R.C.S., 1882, Grimpen, Dartmoor, Devon. House-surgeon, from 1882 to 1884, at Charing Cross Hospital. Winner of the Jackson prize for Comparative Pathology, with essay entitled ‘Is Disease a Reversion?’ Corresponding member of the Swedish Pathological Society. Author of ‘Some Freaks of Atavism’ (Lancet 1882). ‘Do We Progress?’ (Journal of Psychology, March, 1883). Medical Officer for the parishes of Grimpen, Thorsley, and High Barrow.”

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Português

Holmes comentou com um sorriso malicioso que não havia menção à caça local, mas que era um médico do interior, exatamente como Watson havia observado astutamente. Ele sentiu que suas inferências eram bastante justificadas. Ele resumiu o homem como amigável, sem ambições e distraído. Em sua experiência, apenas uma pessoa amigável recebe testemunhos, apenas uma sem ambições abandona uma carreira em Londres pelo interior, e apenas uma distraída deixa sua bengala para trás em vez do cartão de visita depois de esperar uma hora.

Original English

“No mention of that local hunt, Watson,” said Holmes with a mischievous smile, “but a country doctor, as you very astutely observed. I think that I am fairly justified in my inferences. As to the adjectives, I said, if I remember right, amiable, unambitious, and absentminded. It is my experience that it is only an amiable man in this world who receives testimonials, only an unambitious one who abandons a London career for the country, and only an absentminded one who leaves his stick and not his visiting-card after waiting an hour in your room.”

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Português

Watson perguntou sobre o cão.

Original English

“And the dog?”

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Português

Holmes explicou que o cachorro tinha o hábito de carregar a bengala atrás de seu dono. Como a bengala era pesada, o cachorro a segurava firmemente pelo meio, deixando marcas de dentes claramente visíveis. O espaço da mandíbula entre essas marcas era muito largo para um terrier e não largo o suficiente para um mastim. Ele pensou que poderia ser—e então declarou que era um spaniel de pelo encaracolado.

Original English

“Has been in the habit of carrying this stick behind his master. Being a heavy stick the dog has held it tightly by the middle, and the marks of his teeth are very plainly visible. The dog’s jaw, as shown in the space between these marks, is too broad in my opinion for a terrier and not broad enough for a mastiff. It may have been—yes, by Jove, it is a curly-haired spaniel.”

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Português

Ele se levantou e andou pela sala enquanto falava. Então, parou no vão da janela. A convicção em sua voz era tão forte que o narrador olhou para cima surpreso.

Original English

He had risen and paced the room as he spoke. Now he halted in the recess of the window. There was such a ring of conviction in his voice that I glanced up in surprise.

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Português

O narrador perguntou ao amigo como ele podia estar tão certo.

Original English

“My dear fellow, how can you possibly be so sure of that?”

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Português

Ele explicou que podia ver o próprio cão na porta de casa e ouviu a campainha. Implorou a Watson que não se mexesse, dizendo que o visitante era um colega médico e que a presença de Watson poderia ajudar. Descreveu isso como um momento dramático do destino, quando um passo na escada pode mudar a vida de alguém para melhor ou para pior. Então, perguntou o que o Dr. James Mortimer, um homem da ciência, queria de Sherlock Holmes, o especialista em crimes, e o convidou para entrar.

Original English

“For the very simple reason that I see the dog himself on our very doorstep, and there is the ring of its owner. Don’t move, I beg you, Watson. He is a professional brother of yours, and your presence may be of assistance to me. Now is the dramatic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a step upon the stair which is walking into your life, and you know not whether for good or ill. What does Dr. James Mortimer, the man of science, ask of Sherlock Holmes, the specialist in crime? Come in!”

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Português

O visitante surpreendeu o narrador, que esperava um típico médico do interior. Ele era muito alto e magro, com um nariz em forma de bico e olhos cinzentos perspicazes atrás de óculos de aro dourado. Suas roupas profissionais estavam surradas e desgastadas. Embora jovem, suas costas já estavam curvadas, e ele andava com a cabeça inclinada para a frente, com um ar benevolente. Ao entrar, viu a bengala na mão de Holmes e correu até ela alegremente, exclamando que estava feliz por tê-la encontrado, pois não tinha certeza se a havia deixado ali ou no Escritório de Navegação, e não a perderia por nada.

Original English

The appearance of our visitor was a surprise to me, since I had expected a typical country practitioner. He was a very tall, thin man, with a long nose like a beak, which jutted out between two keen, gray eyes, set closely together and sparkling brightly from behind a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He was clad in a professional but rather slovenly fashion, for his frock-coat was dingy and his trousers frayed. Though young, his long back was already bowed, and he walked with a forward thrust of his head and a general air of peering benevolence. As he entered his eyes fell upon the stick in Holmes’s hand, and he ran towards it with an exclamation of joy. “I am so very glad,” said he. “I was not sure whether I had left it here or in the Shipping Office. I would not lose that stick for the world.”

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Português

Holmes observou que a bengala parecia ser um presente.

Original English

“A presentation, I see,” said Holmes.

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Português

Ele afirmou.

Original English

“Yes, sir.”

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Português

Holmes perguntou se era do Hospital Charing Cross.

Original English

“From Charing Cross Hospital?”

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Português

Ele explicou que os presentes eram de alguns amigos que compareceram ao seu casamento.

Original English

“From one or two friends there on the occasion of my marriage.”

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Português

Holmes balançou a cabeça e comentou que isso era infeliz.

Original English

“Dear, dear, that’s bad!” said Holmes, shaking his head.

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Português

Dr. Mortimer piscou com leve surpresa e perguntou por que Holmes considerava aquilo ruim.

Original English

Dr. Mortimer blinked through his glasses in mild astonishment. “Why was it bad?”

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Português

Holmes comentou que o casamento do visitante havia perturbado suas deduções e pediu confirmação de que o visitante era casado.

Original English

“Only that you have disarranged our little deductions. Your marriage, you say?”

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Português

O visitante confirmou que havia se casado e, como resultado, deixou o hospital, abandonando qualquer esperança de estabelecer uma prática de consultoria. Ele explicou que precisava criar um lar para si.

Original English

“Yes, sir. I married, and so left the hospital, and with it all hopes of a consulting practice. It was necessary to make a home of my own.”

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Português

Holmes respondeu que suas deduções não estavam totalmente incorretas e, em seguida, dirigiu-se ao visitante como Dr. James Mortimer.

Original English

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

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Português

O visitante corrigiu Holmes, insistindo que deveria ser chamado de Senhor, não Doutor, e descreveu-se como um humilde Membro do Royal College of Surgeons.

Original English

“Mister, sir, Mister—a humble M.R.C.S.”

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Português

Holmes observou que o visitante era evidentemente um homem de pensamento preciso e metódico.

Original English

“And a man of precise mind, evidently.”

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Português

O visitante se descreveu como um cientista casual, alguém que coleta conchas na praia do grande oceano desconhecido. Ele perguntou se estava falando com o Sr. Sherlock Holmes.

Original English

“A dabbler in science, 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—”

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Português

Holmes respondeu que a pessoa com quem ele estava falando era seu amigo, Dr. Watson.

Original English

“No, this is my friend Dr. Watson.”

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Português

O visitante expressou prazer em conhecer o Dr. Watson e disse que tinha ouvido seu nome mencionado junto com o de Holmes. Ele se dirigiu diretamente a Holmes, afirmando que o achava muito interessante. Observou que não esperava um crânio tão longo ou cristas supraorbitais tão proeminentes. Perguntou se poderia passar o dedo ao longo da sutura no topo do crânio de Holmes. Acrescentou que uma réplica do crânio de Holmes seria uma bela adição a qualquer museu antropológico, e admitiu que a desejava.

Original English

“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 supraorbital 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, but I confess that I covet your skull.”

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Português

Holmes fez um gesto para que o estranho visitante se sentasse. Observou que o homem era um entusiasta em sua própria área, assim como Holmes era na dele. Notou pelo dedo indicador do visitante que ele mesmo enrolava seus cigarros e deu-lhe permissão para acender um.

Original English

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.”

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Português

O homem tirou seu papel e fumo e os torceu juntos com habilidade surpreendente. Seus longos dedos trêmulos eram tão rápidos e inquietos quanto as antenas de um inseto.

Original English

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.

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Português

Holmes permaneceu em silêncio, embora seus olhares rápidos revelassem seu fascínio pelo curioso companheiro. Por fim, perguntou se o homem lhe fizera a honra de vir na noite passada e novamente hoje apenas para examinar seu crânio.

Original English

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 today?”

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Português

O visitante garantiu a Holmes que também ficara feliz por ter tido essa oportunidade. Ele explicou que viera porque se considerava um homem pouco prático e de repente se deparara com um problema grave e extraordinário. Além disso, reconheceu Holmes como o segundo maior especialista da Europa.

Original English

“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—”

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Português

Holmes respondeu bruscamente, perguntando quem tinha a honra de ser o primeiro.

Original English

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

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Português

O visitante respondeu que, para uma mente verdadeiramente científica, o trabalho do Monsieur Bertillon seria sempre muito atraente.

Original English

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

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Português

Holmes sugeriu então que talvez o visitante devesse consultá-lo em vez disso.

Original English

“Then had you not better consult him?”

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Português

O orador dirigiu-se a Holmes, observando que estava falando com uma mente precisamente científica, mas reconheceu que Holmes também era incomparável como homem prático. Ele expressou esperança de não ter inadvertidamente causado ofensa.

Original English

“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—”

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Português

Holmes respondeu que entendia um pouco. Ele aconselhou o Dr. Mortimer a explicar a natureza exata do problema para o qual precisava de sua assistência, sem mais demora.

Original English

“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.”

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Português

Capítulo II

Original English

II

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The Curse of the Baskervilles

Português

O Dr. James Mortimer anunciou que tinha um manuscrito no bolso.

Original English

“I have in my pocket a manuscript,” said Dr. James Mortimer.

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Português

Holmes reconheceu que tinha notado isso quando Mortimer entrou na sala.

Original English

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

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Português

Ele o descreveu como um manuscrito antigo.

Original English

“It is an old manuscript.”

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Português

Ele o datou do início do século XVIII, acrescentando que poderia ser uma falsificação.

Original English

“Early eighteenth century, unless it is a forgery.”

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Português

A outra pessoa perguntou como ele podia fazer tal afirmação.

Original English

“How can you say that, sir?”

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Português

Ele explicou que, enquanto o outro falava, ele só havia visto uma pequena parte do documento, mas um especialista competente geralmente conseguia datar um manuscrito dentro de uma década. Ele mencionou sua própria monografia sobre o assunto e estimou que fosse de 1730.

Original English

“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.”

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Português

Dr. Mortimer o corrigiu, afirmando que a data era exatamente 1742, e tirou o documento do bolso. Ele explicou que Sir Charles Baskerville lhe havia confiado esse documento de família. Sir Charles havia morrido subitamente três meses antes, causando grande agitação. Dr. Mortimer era tanto seu amigo quanto seu médico. Ele descreveu Sir Charles como um homem forte, astuto, prático e nada imaginativo. No entanto, Sir Charles levara o documento a sério e se preparara mentalmente para o fim trágico que o acometeu.

Original English

“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.”

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Português

Holmes pegou o manuscrito e o esticou sobre o joelho. Ele apontou para Watson o uso variado das formas longa e curta da letra 's', explicando que esta era uma das pistas que lhe permitiram determinar a idade do documento.

Original English

Holmes stretched out his hand for the manuscript and flattened it upon his knee. “You will observe, Watson, the alternative use of the long s and the short. It is one of several indications which enabled me to fix the date.”

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Português

Olhei por cima do ombro dele para o papel amarelado com sua caligrafia desbotada. No topo estava escrito 'Baskerville Hall', e abaixo disso, em grandes numerais desordenados, o ano de 1742.

Original English

I looked over his shoulder at the yellow paper and the faded script. At the head was written: “Baskerville Hall,” and below in large, scrawling figures: “1742.”

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Português

Comentei que parecia ser algum tipo de declaração ou relatório.

Original English

“It appears to be a statement of some sort.”

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Português

Holmes confirmou que era uma declaração sobre uma lenda que havia sido transmitida pela família Baskerville.

Original English

“Yes, it is a statement of a certain legend which runs in the Baskerville family.”

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Português

Perguntei então se ele pretendia me consultar sobre algo mais recente e prático.

Original English

“But I understand that it is something more modern and practical upon which you wish to consult me?”

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Português

O orador descreveu o assunto como muito moderno e prático, que precisava de uma decisão em vinte e quatro horas. Ele disse que o breve manuscrito estava intimamente ligado ao caso e pediu permissão para lê-lo.

Original English

“Most modern. A most practical, pressing matter, which must be decided within twenty-four hours. But the manuscript is short and is intimately connected with the affair. With your permission I will read it to you.”

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Português

Holmes recostou-se na cadeira, juntou as pontas dos dedos e fechou os olhos como se aceitasse algo. O Dr. Mortimer virou o manuscrito em direção à luz e leu a seguinte história antiga curiosa em uma voz alta e trêmula.

Original English

Holmes leaned back in his chair, placed his fingertips together, and closed his eyes, with an air of resignation. Dr. Mortimer turned the manuscript to the light and read in a high, cracking voice the following curious, old-world narrative:

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Português

O escritor, um descendente direto de Hugo Baskerville, afirmou que existiam muitos relatos sobre a origem do Cão, mas ele acreditava que sua versão era verdadeira, conforme transmitida por seu pai. Ele exortou seus filhos a acreditarem que a justiça pune o pecado, mas também perdoa, e que nenhuma maldição é tão pesada que não possa ser removida pela oração e pelo arrependimento. Ele os aconselhou a não temer o passado, mas a serem cuidadosos no futuro, para que as paixões vis da família não causassem ruína novamente.

Original English

“Of the origin of the Hound of the Baskervilles there have been many statements, yet as I come in a direct line from Hugo Baskerville, and as I had the story from my father, who also had it from his, I have set it down with all belief that it occurred even as is here set forth. And I would have you believe, my sons, that the same Justice which punishes sin may also most graciously forgive it, and that no ban is so heavy but that by prayer and repentance it may be removed. Learn then from this story not to fear the fruits of the past, but rather to be circumspect in the future, that those foul passions whereby our family has suffered so grievously may not again be loosed to our undoing.

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Português

Durante a Grande Rebelião, o Solar de Baskerville pertencia a Hugo, um homem selvagem, profano e ímpio, com um humor cruel. Ele se apaixonou pela filha de um fazendeiro vizinho, mas ela o evitava por causa de sua reputação maligna. No Dia de São Miguel, Hugo e seus companheiros a roubaram de sua casa enquanto sua família estava ausente. Levaram-na para o Solar, colocaram-na em um cômodo superior e iniciaram uma farra. A donzela, aterrorizada com seus gritos e juramentos, eventualmente escapou descendo pela hera na parede sul e depois correu três léguas através do brejo até a fazenda de seu pai.

Original English

“Know then that in the time of the Great Rebellion (the history of which by the learned Lord Clarendon I most earnestly commend to your attention) this Manor of Baskerville was held by Hugo of that name, nor can it be gainsaid that he was a most wild, profane, and godless man. This, in truth, his neighbours might have pardoned, seeing that saints have never flourished in those parts, but there was in him a certain wanton and cruel humour which made his name a byword through the West. It chanced that this Hugo came to love (if, indeed, so dark a passion may be known under so bright a name) the daughter of a yeoman who held lands near the Baskerville estate. But the young maiden, being discreet and of good repute, would ever avoid him, for she feared his evil name. So it came to pass that one Michaelmas this Hugo, with five or six of his idle and wicked companions, stole down upon the farm and carried off the maiden, her father and brothers being from home, as he well knew. When they had brought her to the Hall the maiden was placed in an upper chamber, while Hugo and his friends sat down to a long carouse, as was their nightly custom. Now, the poor lass upstairs was like to have her wits turned at the singing and shouting and terrible oaths which came up to her from below, for they say that the words used by Hugo Baskerville, when he was in wine, were such as might blast the man who said them. At last in the stress of her fear she did that which might have daunted the bravest or most active man, for by the aid of the growth of ivy which covered (and still covers) the south wall she came down from under the eaves, and so homeward across the moor, there being three leagues betwixt the Hall and her father’s farm.

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Português

Mais tarde, Hugo deixou seus convidados para levar comida e bebida à sua cativa, mas a encontrou desaparecida. Enfurecido, ele desceu as escadas correndo, pulou sobre a mesa e declarou que daria seu corpo e alma aos Poderes do Mal se conseguisse pegá-la. Um de seus companheiros bêbados sugeriu soltar os cães atrás dela. Hugo então saiu correndo, ordenou seus cavalos e cães, deu-lhes o lenço da donzela para seguir seu cheiro, e cavalgou sob o luar através do pântano com os cães em plena perseguição.

Original English

“It chanced that some little time later Hugo left his guests to carry food and drink—with other worse things, perchance—to his captive, and so found the cage empty and the bird escaped. Then, as it would seem, he became as one that hath a devil, for, rushing down the stairs into the dining-hall, he sprang upon the great table, flagons and trenchers flying before him, and he cried aloud before all the company that he would that very night render his body and soul to the Powers of Evil if he might but overtake the wench. And while the revellers stood aghast at the fury of the man, one more wicked or, it may be, more drunken than the rest, cried out that they should put the hounds upon her. Whereat Hugo ran from the house, crying to his grooms that they should saddle his mare and unkennel the pack, and giving the hounds a kerchief of the maid’s, he swung them to the line, and so off full cry in the moonlight over the moor.

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Português

Por um momento, o grupo ficou em silêncio atordoado, incapaz de compreender o que acabara de acontecer tão rapidamente. Mas logo suas mentes confusas entenderam o terrível ato prestes a acontecer no pântano. Tudo se tornou caótico, com alguns pedindo pistolas, outros cavalos, e ainda outros outra garrafa de vinho. Eventualmente, alguma sanidade retornou, e todos os treze montaram em seus cavalos e partiram em perseguição. A lua brilhava intensamente acima deles enquanto cavalgavam lado a lado, seguindo a rota que a jovem devia ter tomado para chegar em casa.

Original English

“Now, for some space the revellers stood agape, unable to understand all that had been done in such haste. But anon their bemused wits awoke to the nature of the deed which was like to be done upon the moorlands. Everything was now in an uproar, some calling for their pistols, some for their horses, and some for another flask of wine. But at length some sense came back to their crazed minds, and the whole of them, thirteen in number, took horse and started in pursuit. The moon shone clear above them, and they rode swiftly abreast, taking that course which the maid must needs have taken if she were to reach her own home.

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Português

Depois de viajar uma ou duas milhas, eles encontraram um pastor que estava no pântano à noite. Gritaram para perguntar se ele tinha visto a perseguição. Segundo a história, o pastor estava tão apavorado que mal conseguia falar, mas finalmente disse que de fato vira a infeliz garota com os cães a seguindo. Ele acrescentou que vira ainda mais: Hugo Baskerville passara por ele em sua égua preta, e correndo silenciosamente atrás estava um cão do inferno, uma criatura que o pastor rezava para Deus nunca deixar chegar perto dele.

Original English

“They had gone a mile or two when they passed one of the night shepherds upon the moorlands, and they cried to him to know if he had seen the hunt. And the man, as the story goes, was so crazed with fear that he could scarce speak, but at last he said that he had indeed seen the unhappy maiden, with the hounds upon her track. ‘But I have seen more than that,’ said he, ‘for Hugo Baskerville passed me upon his black mare, and there ran mute behind him such a hound of hell as God forbid should ever be at my heels.’

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Português

Os fidalgos bêbados amaldiçoaram o pastor e seguiram adiante. Mas logo sentiram um calafrio de medo, pois do outro lado do pântano veio o som de galope, e a égua preta de Hugo, coberta de espuma branca, passou por eles com rédeas arrastando e sela vazia. Os homens se aproximaram mais, tomados por um grande pavor, mas continuaram a seguir pelo pântano, embora cada um ficasse feliz em voltar se estivesse sozinho. Cavalgando lentamente assim, finalmente encontraram os cães. Esses cães, geralmente conhecidos por sua bravura, estavam amontoados gemendo na borda de uma depressão profunda, que o povo chamava de 'goyal'. Alguns se esgueiravam para longe, enquanto outros, com pelos eriçados e olhos fixos, olhavam para baixo no estreito vale à frente.

Original English

“So the drunken squires cursed the shepherd and rode onward. But soon their skins turned cold, for there came a galloping across the moor, and the black mare, dabbled with white froth, went past with trailing bridle and empty saddle. Then the revellers rode close together, for a great fear was on them, but they still followed over the moor, though each, had he been alone, would have been right glad to have turned his horse’s head. Riding slowly in this fashion they came at last upon the hounds. These, though known for their valour and their breed, were whimpering in a cluster at the head of a deep dip or ‘goyal,’ as we call it, upon the moor, some slinking away and some, with starting hackles and staring eyes, gazing down the narrow valley before them.

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Português

O grupo parou, agora muito mais sóbrio do que quando começaram. A maioria se recusou a ir mais longe, mas três dos mais corajosos, ou talvez os mais bêbados, cavalgaram para dentro do goyal. Ele se abriu em uma clareira larga onde duas grandes pedras estavam, colocadas há muito tempo por um povo esquecido. A lua brilhava intensamente no espaço, e no centro jazia a infeliz garota, morta de medo e exaustão. No entanto, não foi o corpo dela, nem o corpo de Hugo Baskerville caído próximo, que fez o cabelo dos três homens imprudentes se arrepiar. Foi a visão de uma criatura hedionda parada sobre Hugo, rasgando sua garganta: uma grande besta negra em forma de cão, mas maior do que qualquer cão que olhos mortais já viram. Enquanto observavam, a coisa arrancou a garganta de Hugo Baskerville. Então virou seus olhos flamejantes e mandíbulas gotejantes para eles, e os três homens gritaram de terror e fugiram pelo pântano, ainda gritando. Diz-se que um deles morreu naquela mesma noite de choque, e os outros dois ficaram destruídos pelo resto de suas vidas.

Original English

“The company had come to a halt, more sober men, as you may guess, than when they started. The most of them would by no means advance, but three of them, the boldest, or it may be the most drunken, rode forward down the goyal. Now, it opened into a broad space in which stood two of those great stones, still to be seen there, which were set by certain forgotten peoples in the days of old. The moon was shining bright upon the clearing, and there in the centre lay the unhappy maid where she had fallen, dead of fear and of fatigue. But it was not the sight of her body, nor yet was it that of the body of Hugo Baskerville lying near her, which raised the hair upon the heads of these three daredevil roysterers, but it was that, standing over Hugo, and plucking at his throat, there stood a foul thing, a great, black beast, shaped like a hound, yet larger than any hound that ever mortal eye has rested upon. And even as they looked the thing tore the throat out of Hugo Baskerville, on which, as it turned its blazing eyes and dripping jaws upon them, the three shrieked with fear and rode for dear life, still screaming, across the moor. One, it is said, died that very night of what he had seen, and the other twain were but broken men for the rest of their days.

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Português

Essa, meus filhos, é a história de como o cão veio a atormentar nossa família tão terrivelmente desde então. Escrevi-a porque o que é claramente conhecido é menos assustador do que o que é apenas insinuado ou adivinhado. Não se pode negar que muitos membros de nossa família tiveram fins infelizes, súbitos, sangrentos e misteriosos. No entanto, podemos nos confortar na bondade infinita da Providência, que não punirá os inocentes para sempre, apenas até a terceira ou quarta geração, como ameaça a Escritura Sagrada. A essa Providência eu os entrego, e os aconselho como advertência a evitar cruzar o pântano durante aquelas horas escuras em que os poderes do mal estão mais fortes.

Original English

“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 forever 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.

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Português

Hugo Baskerville escreveu uma carta para seus filhos Rodger e John, instruindo-os a não contar à irmã Elizabeth sobre seu conteúdo.

Original English

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

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Português

Após terminar a leitura da história incomum, Dr. Mortimer empurrou os óculos para a testa e olhou fixamente para Sherlock Holmes. Holmes bocejou e jogou a ponta do cigarro no fogo.

Original English

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.

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Português

Holmes perguntou o que ele achava disso.

Original English

“Well?” said he.

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Português

Dr. Mortimer perguntou se Holmes não achava interessante.

Original English

“Do you not find it interesting?”

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Português

Holmes respondeu que um colecionador de contos de fadas poderia achar interessante.

Original English

“To a collector of fairy tales.”

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Português

Dr. Mortimer tirou um jornal dobrado do bolso.

Original English

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

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Português

Dr. Mortimer anunciou que mostraria a Holmes algo mais recente. Ele apresentou o Devon County Chronicle de 14 de maio daquele ano, que continha um breve relato dos fatos descobertos após a morte de Sir Charles Baskerville alguns dias antes.

Original English

“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.”

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Português

Holmes inclinou-se para a frente com uma expressão concentrada. O visitante ajustou os óculos e começou a ler.

Original English

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

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Português

O artigo noticiava que a morte súbita de Sir Charles Baskerville lançara uma sombra sobre o condado. Embora ele tivesse vivido em Baskerville Hall por pouco tempo, sua bondade e generosidade lhe renderam grande afeição. Ele fizera fortuna em especulações na África do Sul e, ao contrário de muitos, retornara à Inglaterra para restaurar a antiga glória de sua família. Residira no casarão por apenas dois anos e tinha planos ambiciosos de reconstrução, interrompidos por sua morte. Não tendo filhos, manifestara o desejo de que a comunidade se beneficiasse de sua riqueza, e muitos tinham motivos pessoais para lamentar seu fim prematuro. Suas doações a instituições de caridade locais eram frequentemente mencionadas no jornal.

Original English

“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 fallen upon evil days is able to make his own fortune and to bring it back with him to restore the fallen grandeur of his line. Sir Charles, as is well known, made large sums of money in South African speculation. More wise than those who go on until the wheel turns against them, he realized his gains and returned to England with them. It is only two years since he took up his residence at Baskerville Hall, and it is common talk how large were those schemes of reconstruction and improvement which have been interrupted by his death. Being himself childless, it was his openly expressed desire that the whole countryside should, within his own lifetime, profit by his good fortune, and many will have personal reasons for bewailing his untimely end. His generous donations to local and county charities have been frequently chronicled in these columns.

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Português

O artigo afirmava que o inquérito não explicara completamente as circunstâncias da morte de Sir Charles, mas dissipara rumores alimentados pela superstição local. Não havia motivo para suspeitar de crime; a morte provavelmente fora por causas naturais. Sir Charles, viúvo, era um tanto excêntrico e, apesar de sua riqueza, vivia de forma simples. Seus únicos empregados domésticos eram um casal, os Barrymore, que atuavam como mordomo e governanta. O depoimento deles, apoiado por amigos, indicava que a saúde de Sir Charles vinha piorando, especialmente uma condição cardíaca que causava alterações na cor da pele, falta de ar e crises de depressão nervosa. O Dr. James Mortimer, seu amigo e médico, deu testemunho semelhante.

Original English

“The circumstances connected with the death of Sir Charles cannot be said to have been entirely cleared up by the inquest, but at least enough has been done to dispose of those rumours to which local superstition has given rise. There is no reason whatever to suspect foul play, or to imagine that death could be from any but natural causes. Sir Charles was a widower, and a man who may be said to have been in some ways of an eccentric habit of mind. In spite of his considerable wealth he was simple in his personal tastes, and his indoor servants at Baskerville Hall consisted of a married couple named Barrymore, the husband acting as butler and the wife as housekeeper. Their evidence, corroborated by that of several friends, tends to show that Sir Charles’s health has for some time been impaired, and points especially to some affection of the heart, manifesting itself in changes of colour, breathlessness, and acute attacks of nervous depression. Dr. James Mortimer, the friend and medical attendant of the deceased, has given evidence to the same effect.

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Português

Os fatos do caso eram diretos. Todas as noites, antes de se recolher, Sir Charles Baskerville costumava caminhar pela famosa alameda de teixos de Baskerville Hall. Esse era seu hábito estabelecido, conforme confirmado pelo depoimento dos Barrymore. No dia quatro de maio, Sir Charles anunciou seu plano de partir para Londres no dia seguinte e instruiu Barrymore a preparar sua bagagem. Naquela noite, ele saiu para seu passeio habitual, durante o qual normalmente fumava um charuto. Ele nunca mais voltou. À meia-noite, Barrymore notou que a porta do salão ainda estava aberta, ficou alarmado e pegou uma lanterna para procurar seu mestre. O chão estava molhado, tornando fáceis de seguir as pegadas de Sir Charles ao longo da alameda. Mais ou menos na metade do caminho, havia um portão que levava ao brejo; sinais indicavam que Sir Charles havia parado ali brevemente. Ele então continuou pela alameda, e seu corpo foi descoberto na extremidade oposta. Um detalhe não explicado foi a observação de Barrymore de que as pegadas de seu mestre mudaram depois de passar pelo portão do brejo, como se ele tivesse começado a andar na ponta dos pés. Um negociante de cavalos cigano chamado Murphy estava no brejo não muito longe, mas por sua própria admissão ele havia bebido. Ele afirmou ter ouvido gritos, mas não soube dizer de que direção vinham. Nenhum sinal de violência foi encontrado no corpo de Sir Charles. Embora o médico tenha notado uma distorção facial quase inacreditável — tão severa que o Dr. Mortimer inicialmente se recusou a acreditar que era seu amigo e paciente — isso foi explicado como um sintoma não incomum em casos de dispneia e morte por insuficiência cardíaca. Essa explicação foi apoiada pela autópsia, que revelou doença orgânica de longa data, e o júri do legista devolveu um veredito consistente com as evidências médicas. Isso foi afortunado, pois era importante que o herdeiro de Sir Charles se estabelecesse no Hall e continuasse o bom trabalho que havia sido tão tristemente interrompido. Se a conclusão prosaica do legista não tivesse finalmente posto fim às histórias românticas sussurradas em torno do caso, poderia ter sido difícil encontrar um inquilino para Baskerville Hall. Entendia-se que o parente mais próximo era o Sr. Henry Baskerville, se ainda estivesse vivo, filho do irmão mais novo de Sir Charles. O jovem havia sido visto pela última vez na América, e estavam sendo feitas investigações para informá-lo de sua boa fortuna.

Original English

“The facts of the case are simple. Sir Charles Baskerville was in the habit every night before going to bed of walking down the famous yew alley of Baskerville Hall. The evidence of the Barrymores shows that this had been his custom. On the fourth of May Sir Charles had declared his intention of starting next day for London, and had ordered Barrymore to prepare his luggage. That night he went out as usual for his nocturnal walk, in the course of which he was in the habit of smoking a cigar. He never returned. At twelve o’clock Barrymore, finding the hall door still open, became alarmed, and, lighting a lantern, went in search of his master. The day had been wet, and Sir Charles’s footmarks were easily traced down the alley. Halfway down this walk there is a gate which leads out on to the moor. There were indications that Sir Charles had stood for some little time here. He then proceeded down the alley, and it was at the far end of it that his body was discovered. One fact which has not been explained is the statement of Barrymore that his master’s footprints altered their character from the time that he passed the moor-gate, and that he appeared from thence onward to have been walking upon his toes. One Murphy, a gipsy horse-dealer, was on the moor at no great distance at the time, but he appears by his own confession to have been the worse for drink. He declares that he heard cries but is unable to state from what direction they came. No signs of violence were to be discovered upon Sir Charles’s person, and though the doctor’s evidence pointed to an almost incredible facial distortion—so great that Dr. Mortimer refused at first to believe that it was indeed his friend and patient who lay before him—it was explained that that is a symptom which is not unusual in cases of dyspnoea and death from cardiac exhaustion. This explanation was borne out by the postmortem examination, which showed long-standing organic disease, and the coroner’s jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. It is well that this is so, for it is obviously of the utmost importance that Sir Charles’s heir should settle at the Hall and continue the good work which has been so sadly interrupted. Had the prosaic finding of the coroner not finally put an end to the romantic stories which have been whispered in connection with the affair, it might have been difficult to find a tenant for Baskerville Hall. It is understood that the next of kin is Mr. Henry Baskerville, if he be still alive, the son of Sir Charles Baskerville’s younger brother. The young man when last heard of was in America, and inquiries are being instituted with a view to informing him of his good fortune.”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer redobrou seu papel e o colocou de volta no bolso, afirmando que esses eram os fatos públicos relativos à morte de Sir Charles Baskerville.

Original English

Dr. Mortimer refolded his paper and replaced it in his pocket. “Those are the public facts, Mr. Holmes, in connection with the death of Sir Charles Baskerville.”

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Português

Sherlock Holmes agradeceu ao Dr. Mortimer por chamar sua atenção para um caso que certamente apresentava algumas características interessantes. Ele mencionou que havia notado alguns comentários de jornal na época, mas estava extremamente preocupado com o pequeno caso dos camafeus do Vaticano e, em seu desejo de agradar o Papa, perdeu contato com vários casos ingleses intrigantes. Em seguida, perguntou se o artigo continha todos os fatos públicos.

Original English

“I must thank you,” said Sherlock Holmes, “for calling my attention to a case which certainly presents some features of interest. I had observed some newspaper comment at the time, but I was exceedingly preoccupied by that little affair of the Vatican cameos, and in my anxiety to oblige the Pope I lost touch with several interesting English cases. This article, you say, contains all the public facts?”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que sim.

Original English

“It does.”

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Português

Holmes então pediu os detalhes particulares. Ele se recostou na cadeira, juntou as pontas dos dedos e assumiu sua expressão mais impassível e judicial.

Original English

“Then let me have the private ones.” He leaned back, put his fingertips together, and assumed his most impassive and judicial expression.

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Português

Dr. Mortimer explicou que ele guardou segredos porque não queria parecer apoiar uma superstição em público, e também para proteger a reputação de Baskerville Hall. Agora ele sentia que podia ser completamente honesto com Holmes.

Original English

“In doing so,” said Dr. Mortimer, who had begun to show signs of some strong emotion, “I am telling that which I have not confided to anyone. My motive for withholding it from the coroner’s inquiry is that a man of science shrinks from placing himself in the public position of seeming to endorse a popular superstition. I had the further motive that Baskerville Hall, as the paper says, would certainly remain untenanted if anything were done to increase its already rather grim reputation. For both these reasons I thought that I was justified in telling rather less than I knew, since no practical good could result from it, but with you there is no reason why I should not be perfectly frank.

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Português

Dr. Mortimer descreveu o pântano como escassamente povoado, então os vizinhos se conheciam bem. Ele passava muito tempo com Sir Charles Baskerville, já que os únicos outros homens educados por perto eram o Sr. Frankland e o naturalista Sr. Stapleton. Sir Charles era reservado, mas sua doença e interesses científicos em comum os aproximaram. Eles frequentemente passavam as noites discutindo o conhecimento científico que Sir Charles trouxera da África do Sul.

Original English

“The moor is very sparsely inhabited, and those who live near each other are thrown very much together. For this reason I saw a good deal of Sir Charles Baskerville. With the exception of Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, and Mr. Stapleton, the naturalist, there are no other men of education within many miles. Sir Charles was a retiring man, but the chance of his illness brought us together, and a community of interests in science kept us so. He had brought back much scientific information from South Africa, and many a charming evening we have spent together discussing the comparative anatomy of the Bushman and the Hottentot.

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Português

Nos últimos meses, o Dr. Mortimer percebeu que os nervos de Sir Charles estavam extremamente tensionados. Ele levou muito a sério a lenda da família, recusando-se a ir ao pântano à noite, embora andasse em suas próprias terras. Ele verdadeiramente acreditava que sua família estava amaldiçoada, e a história de seus ancestrais não o tranquilizava em nada. Ele era assombrado pela ideia de uma presença fantasmagórica e repetidamente perguntava ao Dr. Mortimer se ele já tinha visto uma criatura estranha ou ouvido o latido de um cão durante suas visitas noturnas, com a voz tremendo de excitação.

Original English

“Within the last few months it became increasingly plain to me that Sir Charles’s nervous system was strained to the breaking point. He had taken this legend which I have read you exceedingly to heart—so much so that, although he would walk in his own grounds, nothing would induce him to go out upon the moor at night. Incredible as it may appear to you, Mr. Holmes, he was honestly convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his family, and certainly the records which he was able to give of his ancestors were not encouraging. The idea of some ghastly presence constantly haunted him, and on more than one occasion he has asked me whether I had on my medical journeys at night ever seen any strange creature or heard the baying of a hound. The latter question he put to me several times, and always with a voice which vibrated with excitement.

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer lembrou-se de ter ido de carro até a casa de Sir Charles uma noite, cerca de três semanas antes de sua morte. Sir Charles estava na porta e olhou por cima do Dr. Mortimer com grande horror. O Dr. Mortimer virou-se e vislumbrou o que parecia ser um grande bezerro preto no final da entrada. Sir Charles ficou tão alarmado que o Dr. Mortimer foi procurar, mas não encontrou nada. O incidente afetou profundamente Sir Charles, e naquela noite ele confiou ao Dr. Mortimer a narrativa que Holmes havia ouvido. O Dr. Mortimer achou isso trivial na época, mas depois se tornou significativo.

Original English

“I can well remember driving up to his house in the evening some three weeks before the fatal event. He chanced to be at his hall door. I had descended from my gig and was standing in front of him, when I saw his eyes fix themselves over my shoulder and stare past me with an expression of the most dreadful horror. I whisked round and had just time to catch a glimpse of something which I took to be a large black calf passing at the head of the drive. So excited and alarmed was he that I was compelled to go down to the spot where the animal had been and look around for it. It was gone, however, and the incident appeared to make the worst impression upon his mind. I stayed with him all the evening, and it was on that occasion, to explain the emotion which he had shown, that he confided to my keeping that narrative which I read to you when first I came. I mention this small episode because it assumes some importance in view of the tragedy which followed, but I was convinced at the time that the matter was entirely trivial and that his excitement had no justification.

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Português

Seguindo o conselho do Dr. Mortimer, Sir Charles planejava ir para Londres. Seu coração estava fraco e a preocupação constante havia prejudicado sua saúde. O Dr. Mortimer e o Sr. Stapleton, um amigo em comum, acreditavam que alguns meses na cidade o ajudariam a se recuperar. Mas no último momento, a terrível tragédia ocorreu.

Original English

“It was at my advice that Sir Charles was about to go to London. His heart was, I knew, affected, and the constant anxiety in which he lived, however chimerical the cause of it might be, was evidently having a serious effect upon his health. I thought that a few months among the distractions of town would send him back a new man. Mr. Stapleton, a mutual friend who was much concerned at his state of health, was of the same opinion. At the last instant came this terrible catastrophe.

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer explicou que, na noite em que Sir Charles morreu, o mordomo Barrymore, que descobriu o corpo, enviou o cavalariço Perkins para buscá-lo a cavalo. Como ele ainda estava acordado tarde, chegou a Baskerville Hall dentro de uma hora do ocorrido. Ele verificou todos os fatos apresentados no inquérito. Seguiu as pegadas ao longo da alameda de teixos, viu o local no portão do pântano onde Sir Charles parecia ter esperado, notou a mudança nas pegadas além daquele ponto e observou que apenas as pegadas de Barrymore estavam no cascalho macio. Finalmente, examinou cuidadosamente o corpo, que não havia sido tocado antes de sua chegada. Sir Charles estava deitado de bruços, com os braços estendidos, os dedos cravados no chão e o rosto tão distorcido por alguma forte emoção que o Dr. Mortimer mal conseguia identificá-lo. Não havia nenhum ferimento físico. No entanto, Barrymore fez uma declaração falsa no inquérito: disse que não havia vestígios no chão perto do corpo. Ele não havia notado nenhum, mas o Dr. Mortimer encontrou alguns — a uma curta distância, frescos e nítidos.

Original English

“On the night of Sir Charles’s death Barrymore the butler, who made the discovery, sent Perkins the groom on horseback to me, and as I was sitting up late I was able to reach Baskerville Hall within an hour of the event. I checked and corroborated all the facts which were mentioned at the inquest. I followed the footsteps down the yew alley, I saw the spot at the moor-gate where he seemed to have waited, I remarked the change in the shape of the prints after that point, I noted that there were no other footsteps save those of Barrymore on the soft gravel, and finally I carefully examined the body, which had not been touched until my arrival. Sir Charles lay on his face, his arms out, his fingers dug into the ground, and his features convulsed with some strong emotion to such an extent that I could hardly have sworn to his identity. There was certainly no physical injury of any kind. But one false statement was made by Barrymore at the inquest. He said that there were no traces upon the ground round the body. He did not observe any. But I did—some little distance off, but fresh and clear.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se eram pegadas.

Original English

“Footprints?”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que eram de fato pegadas.

Original English

“Footprints.”

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Português

Alguém perguntou se as pegadas pertenciam a um homem ou a uma mulher.

Original English

“A man’s or a woman’s?”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer olhou para eles de forma estranha por um momento, depois baixou a voz quase a um sussurro enquanto respondia.

Original English

Dr. Mortimer looked strangely at us for an instant, and his voice sank almost to a whisper as he answered.

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Português

O visitante informou a Holmes que as pegadas pertenciam a um cão enorme.

Original English

“Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!”

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Português

Capítulo III

Original English

III

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The Problem

Português

O narrador admitiu que as palavras do médico o fizeram estremecer. A voz do médico tremia, mostrando que ele estava profundamente afetado por sua história. Holmes inclinou-se para a frente, seus olhos brilhando de empolgação, como costumavam fazer quando ele estava intensamente envolvido.

Original English

I confess at these words a shudder passed through me. There was a thrill in the doctor’s voice which showed that he was himself deeply moved by that which he told us. Holmes leaned forward in his excitement and his eyes had the hard, dry glitter which shot from them when he was keenly interested.

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Português

Holmes perguntou se o homem havia testemunhado aquilo.

Original English

“You saw this?”

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Português

O homem respondeu que havia visto aquilo tão distintamente quanto podia ver Holmes.

Original English

“As clearly as I see you.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se a pessoa não havia dito nada.

Original English

“And you said nothing?”

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Português

Ele respondeu que não havia benefício em dizer nada.

Original English

“What was the use?”

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Português

Ele se perguntou por que ninguém mais havia visto aquilo.

Original English

“How was it that no one else saw it?”

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Português

Ele explicou que as marcas estavam a cerca de vinte jardas do corpo e que ninguém lhes havia dado atenção. Ele acrescentou que ele próprio provavelmente não as teria notado se não conhecesse a lenda.

Original English

“The marks were some twenty yards from the body and no one gave them a thought. I don’t suppose I should have done so had I not known this legend.”

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Português

Ele questionou se havia muitos cães pastores no pântano.

Original English

“There are many sheepdogs on the moor?”

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Português

Ele afirmou categoricamente que não era um cão pastor.

Original English

“No doubt, but this was no sheepdog.”

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Português

Ela perguntou se era de tamanho considerável.

Original English

“You say it was large?”

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Português

Ele respondeu que era enorme.

Original English

“Enormous.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se a criatura havia mantido distância do cadáver.

Original English

“But it had not approached the body?”

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Português

Ela respondeu negativamente.

Original English

“No.”

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Português

Ele indagou sobre o caráter da noite.

Original English

“What sort of night was it?”

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Português

Foi descrita como úmida e fria.

Original English

“Damp and raw.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se realmente tinha chovido.

Original English

“But not actually raining?”

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Português

A resposta foi que não.

Original English

“No.”

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Português

Ele perguntou como era o beco.

Original English

“What is the alley like?”

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Português

Havia duas fileiras de sebes de teixo velhas, cada uma com doze pés de altura e tão densas que ninguém conseguia passar por elas. O caminho entre elas tinha cerca de oito pés de largura.

Original English

“There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve feet high and impenetrable. The walk in the centre is about eight feet across.”

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Português

Ele se perguntou se havia algo entre as sebes e a passagem.

Original English

“Is there anything between the hedges and the walk?”

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Português

Foi-lhe dito que de cada lado havia uma faixa de grama com aproximadamente seis pés de largura.

Original English

“Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet broad on either side.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se a sebe de teixo era interrompida por um portão em algum ponto.

Original English

“I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?”

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Português

Sim, havia um portão pequeno que dava para a charneca.

Original English

“Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the moor.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se existia alguma outra saída.

Original English

“Is there any other opening?”

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Português

Ele foi informado de que não havia nenhuma.

Original English

“None.”

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Português

Ele então perguntou se para chegar ao beco dos teixos era necessário vir da casa ou entrar pelo portão do campo.

Original English

“So that to reach the yew alley one either has to come down it from the house or else to enter it by the moor-gate?”

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Português

Foi explicado que também havia uma saída através de uma casa de veraneio no extremo oposto.

Original English

“There is an exit through a summerhouse at the far end.”

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Português

Ele queria saber se Sir Charles tinha alcançado aquela saída.

Original English

“Had Sir Charles reached this?”

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Português

Ele respondeu que o homem estava a cerca de cinquenta jardas daquele local.

Original English

“No; he lay about fifty yards from it.”

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Português

Holmes então fez ao Dr. Mortimer uma pergunta crucial: se as marcas estavam no caminho e não na grama.

Original English

“Now, tell me, Dr. Mortimer—and this is important—the marks which you saw were on the path and not on the grass?”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer explicou que nenhuma marca apareceria na grama.

Original English

“No marks could show on the grass.”

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Português

Holmes perguntou se as marcas estavam no mesmo lado do caminho que o portão do pântano.

Original English

“Were they on the same side of the path as the moor-gate?”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que elas estavam na borda do caminho, no mesmo lado que o portão do pântano.

Original English

“Yes; they were on the edge of the path on the same side as the moor-gate.”

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Português

Ele expressou grande interesse e perguntou se o portãozinho estava fechado.

Original English

“You interest me exceedingly. Another point. Was the wicket-gate closed?”

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Português

Estava fechado e trancado com um cadeado.

Original English

“Closed and padlocked.”

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Português

Ele perguntou sobre sua altura.

Original English

“How high was it?”

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Português

Tinha aproximadamente quatro pés de altura.

Original English

“About four feet high.”

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Português

Ele raciocinou que qualquer um poderia ter pulado por cima.

Original English

“Then anyone could have got over it?”

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Português

Ele confirmou que sim.

Original English

“Yes.”

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Português

Ele perguntou que marcas tinham sido observadas perto do portão.

Original English

“And what marks did you see by the wicket-gate?”

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Português

Ele respondeu que não havia nenhuma de importância.

Original English

“None in particular.”

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Português

Ele expressou espanto por ninguém ter examinado a área.

Original English

“Good heaven! Did no one examine?”

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Português

Ele afirmou que ele próprio tinha conduzido um exame.

Original English

“Yes, I examined, myself.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se eles haviam descoberto alguma coisa.

Original English

“And found nothing?”

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Português

A cena era desconcertante; Sir Charles aparentemente permaneceu naquele local por cinco ou dez minutos.

Original English

“It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evidently stood there for five or ten minutes.”

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Português

Ele perguntou como o interlocutor havia determinado isso.

Original English

“How do you know that?”

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Português

Ele explicou que a cinza do charuto de Sir Charles havia caído duas vezes.

Original English

“Because the ash had twice dropped from his cigar.”

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Português

Ele elogiou a observação, chamando Watson de espírito afim, e então perguntou sobre as pegadas.

Original English

“Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after our own heart. But the marks?”

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Português

Ele afirmou que a pessoa havia deixado suas próprias marcas por todo aquele pequeno pedaço de cascalho, e ele não conseguia ver nenhuma outra.

Original English

“He had left his own marks all over that small patch of gravel. I could discern no others.”

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Português

Sherlock Holmes bateu a mão contra o joelho de forma impaciente.

Original English

Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his knee with an impatient gesture.

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Português

Holmes exclamou que desejava ter estado lá. Ele disse que era claramente um caso de interesse extraordinário, oferecendo grandes oportunidades para um perito científico. Aquela página de cascalho, da qual ele poderia ter lido tanto, já havia sido manchada pela chuva e desfigurada pelos tamancos de camponeses curiosos. Ele repreendeu o Dr. Mortimer por não o ter chamado, insistindo que Mortimer tinha muito a responder.

Original English

“If I had only been there!” he cried. “It is evidently a case of extraordinary interest, and one which presented immense opportunities to the scientific expert. That gravel page upon which I might have read so much has been long ere this smudged by the rain and defaced by the clogs of curious peasants. Oh, Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer, to think that you should not have called me in! You have indeed much to answer for.”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer respondeu que não poderia chamar Holmes sem revelar aqueles fatos ao mundo, e já havia explicado por que não desejava fazer isso. Ele hesitou novamente.

Original English

“I could not call you in, Mr. Holmes, without disclosing these facts to the world, and I have already given my reasons for not wishing to do so. Besides, besides—”

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Português

Holmes perguntou por que ele estava hesitando.

Original English

“Why do you hesitate?”

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Português

Holmes observou que havia um domínio onde mesmo o detetive mais perspicaz e experiente não podia fazer nada.

Original English

“There is a realm in which the most acute and most experienced of detectives is helpless.”

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Português

A outra pessoa perguntou se Holmes acreditava que o evento era sobrenatural.

Original English

“You mean that the thing is supernatural?”

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Português

Holmes respondeu que não havia feito tal afirmação explicitamente.

Original English

“I did not positively say so.”

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Português

A outra pessoa insistiu que Holmes obviamente pensava assim, mesmo que não tivesse dito.

Original English

“No, but you evidently think it.”

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Português

A pessoa informou Holmes que, desde a tragédia, eles souberam de vários incidentes que eram difíceis de encaixar no curso normal da natureza.

Original English

“Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have come to my ears several incidents which are hard to reconcile with the settled order of Nature.”

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Português

Ele pediu um exemplo.

Original English

“For example?”

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Português

Ele disse que, antes do evento trágico, várias pessoas tinham visto uma criatura no pântano que combinava com o demônio de Baskerville e não podia ser nenhum animal conhecido. Todos a descreveram como enorme, brilhante e fantasmagórica. Ele havia interrogado esses homens — um fazendeiro prático, um ferrador e um lavrador do pântano — e todos contaram a mesma história de uma aparição terrível correspondente ao cão infernal da lenda. Ele garantiu que havia um reinado de terror no distrito, e apenas um homem corajoso cruzaria o pântano à noite.

Original English

“I find that before the terrible event occurred several people had seen a creature upon the moor which corresponds with this Baskerville demon, and which could not possibly be any animal known to science. They all agreed that it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hardheaded countryman, one a farrier, and one a moorland farmer, who all tell the same story of this dreadful apparition, exactly corresponding to the hellhound of the legend. I assure you that there is a reign of terror in the district, and that it is a hardy man who will cross the moor at night.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se ele, como cientista treinado, acreditava que a criatura era sobrenatural.

Original English

“And you, a trained man of science, believe it to be supernatural?”

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Português

Ele respondeu que não sabia no que acreditar.

Original English

“I do not know what to believe.”

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Português

Holmes deu de ombros e disse que até agora havia limitado suas investigações a este mundo. De forma modesta, ele havia combatido o mal, mas enfrentar o próprio Diabo poderia ser ambicioso demais. No entanto, ele observou que a pegada era um objeto físico e material.

Original English

Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “I have hitherto confined my investigations to this world,” said he. “In a modest way I have combated evil, but to take on the Father of Evil himself would, perhaps, be too ambitious a task. Yet you must admit that the footmark is material.”

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Português

Ele observou que o cão original era tanto fisicamente real, capaz de arrancar a garganta de um homem, quanto diabólico em caráter.

Original English

“The original hound was material enough to tug a man’s throat out, and yet he was diabolical as well.”

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Português

Ele observou que o Dr. Mortimer havia adotado plenamente crenças sobrenaturais. Então questionou por que, se o Dr. Mortimer tinha tais visões, ele havia vindo consultá-lo. Ele notou que o Dr. Mortimer simultaneamente afirmava que investigar a morte de Sir Charles era inútil e, no entanto, queria que ele a realizasse.

Original English

“I see that you have quite gone over to the supernaturalists. But now, Dr. Mortimer, tell me this. If you hold these views, why have you come to consult me at all? You tell me in the same breath that it is useless to investigate Sir Charles’s death, and that you desire me to do it.”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer negou ter expressado o desejo pela investigação.

Original English

“I did not say that I desired you to do it.”

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Português

Ele então perguntou como poderia ser útil.

Original English

“Then, how can I assist you?”

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Português

Ele explicou que precisava de conselhos sobre como lidar com Sir Henry Baskerville, que estava programado para chegar à Estação Waterloo em exatamente uma hora e quinze minutos.

Original English

“By advising me as to what I should do with Sir Henry Baskerville, who arrives at Waterloo Station”—Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch—“in exactly one hour and a quarter.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se o jovem era o herdeiro.

Original English

“He being the heir?”

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Português

Ele confirmou que o jovem era o herdeiro. Após a morte de Sir Charles, eles o localizaram e descobriram que ele estava cultivando no Canadá. Segundo os relatos, ele era um excelente homem em todos os aspectos. Ele falou não como médico, mas como curador e executor do testamento de Sir Charles.

Original English

“Yes. On the death of Sir Charles we inquired for this young gentleman and found that he had been farming in Canada. From the accounts which have reached us he is an excellent fellow in every way. I speak now not as a medical man but as a trustee and executor of Sir Charles’s will.”

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Português

Ele perguntou se havia outros requerentes.

Original English

“There is no other claimant, I presume?”

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Português

Ele afirmou que não havia outros requerentes. O único outro parente que eles haviam localizado era Rodger Baskerville, o mais novo dos três irmãos, dos quais o pobre Sir Charles era o mais velho. O segundo irmão, que morreu jovem, era o pai de Henry. O terceiro, Rodger, era a ovelha negra da família. Ele herdou a natureza dominadora dos Baskerville e era, segundo disseram, a própria imagem do retrato do velho Hugo. Ele tornou a Inglaterra insuportável para si, fugiu para a América Central e morreu lá de febre amarela em 1876. Henry era o último dos Baskervilles. Ele iria encontrá-lo na estação Waterloo em uma hora e cinco minutos. Ele havia recebido um telegrama de que Henry havia chegado a Southampton naquela manhã. Então ele perguntou ao Sr. Holmes o que deveria fazer com ele.

Original English

“None. The only other kinsman whom we have been able to trace was Rodger Baskerville, the youngest of three brothers of whom poor Sir Charles was the elder. The second brother, who died young, is the father of this lad Henry. The third, Rodger, was the black sheep of the family. He came of the old masterful Baskerville strain and was the very image, they tell me, of the family picture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to hold him, fled to Central America, and died there in 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the Baskervilles. In one hour and five minutes I meet him at Waterloo Station. I have had a wire that he arrived at Southampton this morning. Now, Mr. Holmes, what would you advise me to do with him?”

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Português

Ele questionou por que o herdeiro não deveria retornar ao seu lar ancestral.

Original English

“Why should he not go to the home of his fathers?”

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Português

O palestrante observou que parecia natural, mas notou que todo Baskerville que ia para aquele lugar tinha um fim ruim. Ele tinha certeza de que Sir Charles, se tivesse podido falar antes de sua morte, teria aconselhado contra enviar o último herdeiro da família, que também era muito rico, para aquele local mortal. No entanto, o palestrante reconheceu que a prosperidade de toda a região pobre e desolada dependia de sua presença. Se ninguém morasse no Solar, todo o bom trabalho que Sir Charles havia feito seria perdido. O palestrante temia que seu próprio interesse óbvio no assunto pudesse influenciá-lo demais, e foi por isso que levou o caso a Holmes e pediu conselhos.

Original English

“It seems natural, does it not? And yet, consider that every Baskerville who goes there meets with an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles could have spoken with me before his death he would have warned me against bringing this, the last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth, to that deadly place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleak countryside depends upon his presence. All the good work which has been done by Sir Charles will crash to the ground if there is no tenant of the Hall. I fear lest I should be swayed too much by my own obvious interest in the matter, and that is why I bring the case before you and ask for your advice.”

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Português

Holmes refletiu por um curto período.

Original English

Holmes considered for a little time.

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Português

Holmes declarou que, em termos simples, a questão era esta: de acordo com o palestrante, uma força diabólica tornava Dartmoor um lugar inseguro para um Baskerville. Ele perguntou se essa era realmente a opinião do palestrante.

Original English

“Put into plain words, the matter is this,” said he. “In your opinion there is a diabolical agency which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode for a Baskerville—that is your opinion?”

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Português

O palestrante respondeu que diria pelo menos que havia alguma evidência sugerindo que esse poderia ser o caso.

Original English

“At least I might go the length of saying that there is some evidence that this may be so.”

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Português

Holmes concordou, mas argumentou que, se a teoria sobrenatural estivesse correta, ela poderia prejudicar o jovem em Londres tão facilmente quanto em Devonshire. Ele achou a ideia de um demônio com poderes apenas locais, como uma junta paroquial, incrível demais.

Original English

“Exactly. But surely, if your supernatural theory be correct, it could work the young man evil in London as easily as in Devonshire. A devil with merely local powers like a parish vestry would be too inconceivable a thing.”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer sugeriu que Holmes talvez não tratasse o assunto com tanta leviandade se tivesse experiência pessoal com ele. Ele então resumiu seu entendimento de que Holmes considerava que Sir Henry estaria igualmente seguro em Devonshire ou Londres. Como Sir Henry deveria chegar em cinquenta minutos, Mortimer pediu a recomendação específica de Holmes.

Original English

“You put the matter more flippantly, Mr. Holmes, than you would probably do if you were brought into personal contact with these things. Your advice, then, as I understand it, is that the young man will be as safe in Devonshire as in London. He comes in fifty minutes. What would you recommend?”

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Português

Holmes aconselhou Mortimer a pegar um táxi, recuperar seu spaniel que estava arranhando a porta da frente e ir para a Estação Waterloo encontrar Sir Henry Baskerville.

Original English

“I recommend, sir, that you take a cab, call off your spaniel who is scratching at my front door, and proceed to Waterloo to meet Sir Henry Baskerville.”

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Português

Mortimer perguntou o que deveria fazer depois disso.

Original English

“And then?”

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Português

Holmes instruiu Mortimer a não falar com Sir Henry sobre o assunto até que Holmes tivesse tomado uma decisão.

Original English

“And then you will say nothing to him at all until I have made up my mind about the matter.”

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Português

Mortimer perguntou quanto tempo levaria para Holmes chegar a uma conclusão.

Original English

“How long will it take you to make up your mind?”

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Português

Holmes pediu ao Dr. Mortimer que retornasse em vinte e quatro horas, especificamente às dez horas da manhã seguinte, e pediu-lhe que trouxesse Sir Henry Baskerville, pois isso o ajudaria com seus planos futuros.

Original English

“Twenty-four hours. At ten o’clock tomorrow, Dr. Mortimer, I will be much obliged to you if you will call upon me here, and it will be of help to me in my plans for the future if you will bring Sir Henry Baskerville with you.”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer concordou e anotou o compromisso no punho da camisa antes de sair apressadamente em seu modo habitual estranho e distraído. No entanto, Holmes o parou no topo da escada.

Original English

“I will do so, Mr. Holmes.” He scribbled the appointment on his shirt-cuff and hurried off in his strange, peering, absentminded fashion. Holmes stopped him at the head of the stair.

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Português

Holmes fez uma pergunta final: ele queria confirmar que várias pessoas haviam afirmado ver o fantasma no pântano antes da morte de Sir Charles Baskerville.

Original English

“Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer. You say that before Sir Charles Baskerville’s death several people saw this apparition upon the moor?”

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Português

O Dr. Mortimer confirmou que três indivíduos de fato o viram.

Original English

“Three people did.”

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Português

Holmes perguntou se alguém tinha visto a aparição após a morte de Sir Charles.

Original English

“Did any see it after?”

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Português

Ele afirmou que não tinha ouvido falar de nada disso.

Original English

“I have not heard of any.”

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Português

Ele agradeceu à outra pessoa e desejou-lhe um bom dia.

Original English

“Thank you. Good morning.”

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Português

Holmes voltou ao seu lugar, com uma expressão tranquila de satisfação que indicava que ele estava prestes a se envolver em uma tarefa que apreciava.

Original English

Holmes returned to his seat with that quiet look of inward satisfaction which meant that he had a congenial task before him.

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Português

Holmes perguntou a Watson se ele estava saindo.

Original English

“Going out, Watson?”

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Português

Watson respondeu que não sairia se pudesse ser útil.

Original English

“Unless I can help you.”

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Português

Holmes explicou que precisaria da ajuda de Watson no momento da ação. Observou que a situação era extraordinária e única. Pediu que Watson parasse na Bradley's para comprar meio quilo de fumo forte e sugeriu que seria conveniente se Watson não voltasse até a noite. Assim, eles poderiam comparar suas ideias sobre o intrigante problema apresentado naquela manhã.

Original English

“No, my dear fellow, it is at the hour of action that I turn to you for aid. But this is splendid, really unique from some points of view. When you pass Bradley’s, would you ask him to send up a pound of the strongest shag tobacco? Thank you. It would be as well if you could make it convenient not to return before evening. Then I should be very glad to compare impressions as to this most interesting problem which has been submitted to us this morning.”

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Português

Watson entendeu que seu amigo precisava de reclusão e solidão durante os períodos de intensa concentração mental, quando ele pesava cada evidência, construía teorias alternativas, as equilibrava e determinava quais pontos eram essenciais. Portanto, Watson passou o dia em seu clube e não voltou à Baker Street até quase nove horas da noite.

Original English

I knew that seclusion and solitude were very necessary for my friend in those hours of intense mental concentration during which he weighed every particle of evidence, constructed alternative theories, balanced one against the other, and made up his mind as to which points were essential and which immaterial. I therefore spent the day at my club and did not return to Baker Street until evening. It was nearly nine o’clock when I found myself in the sitting-room once more.

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Português

Ao abrir a porta, a primeira impressão de Watson foi que um incêndio havia começado, pois o quarto estava tão cheio de fumaça que a luz do lampião parecia borrada. No entanto, ao entrar, seus medos foram aliviados quando percebeu que os vapores acre do tabaco forte e grosso lhe pegavam na garganta e o faziam tossir. Através da neblina, ele viu vagamente Holmes em seu roupão, enrolado numa poltrona com seu cachimbo de barro preto entre os lábios, cercado por vários rolos de papel.

Original English

My first impression as I opened the door was that a fire had broken out, for the room was so filled with smoke that the light of the lamp upon the table was blurred by it. As I entered, however, my fears were set at rest, for it was the acrid fumes of strong coarse tobacco which took me by the throat and set me coughing. Through the haze I had a vague vision of Holmes in his dressing-gown coiled up in an armchair with his black clay pipe between his lips. Several rolls of paper lay around him.

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Português

Holmes perguntou a Watson se ele havia pegado um resfriado.

Original English

“Caught cold, Watson?” said he.

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Português

Watson respondeu que era a atmosfera venenosa no quarto.

Original English

“No, it’s this poisonous atmosphere.”

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Português

Ele admitiu que era muito grave, agora que havia sido apontado.

Original English

“I suppose it is pretty thick, now that you mention it.”

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Português

Ele exclamou que era absolutamente insuportável.

Original English

“Thick! It is intolerable.”

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Português

Ele disse à outra pessoa para abrir a janela, observando que podia perceber que ela havia passado o dia no clube.

Original English

“Open the window, then! You have been at your club all day, I perceive.”

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Português

A outra pessoa se dirigiu a Holmes com surpresa e familiaridade.

Original English

“My dear Holmes!”

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Português

Holmes perguntou se sua observação estava correta.

Original English

“Am I right?”

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Português

Ele concordou, mas questionou como isso poderia ser feito.

Original English

“Certainly, but how?”

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Português

Holmes riu da confusão de Watson e disse que era prazeroso usar suas habilidades para provocá-lo por sua ingenuidade revigorante. Ele observou que, se um homem sai em um dia chuvoso e enlameado e retorna à noite com seu chapéu e botas ainda limpos e brilhantes, ele deve ter ficado dentro de casa o dia todo. O homem não tinha amigos próximos, então Holmes perguntou onde mais ele poderia estar.

Original English

He laughed at my bewildered expression. “There is a delightful freshness about you, Watson, which makes it a pleasure to exercise any small powers which I possess at your expense. A gentleman goes forth on a showery and miry day. He returns immaculate in the evening with the gloss still on his hat and his boots. He has been a fixture therefore all day. He is not a man with intimate friends. Where, then, could he have been? Is it not obvious?”

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Português

Watson admitiu que era bastante óbvio.

Original English

“Well, it is rather obvious.”

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Português

Holmes comentou que o mundo está cheio de coisas óbvias que ninguém nunca nota e então perguntou a Watson onde ele achava que o próprio Holmes havia estado.

Original English

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. Where do you think that I have been?”

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Português

Watson respondeu que Holmes também deve ter ficado em um só lugar.

Original English

“A fixture also.”

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Português

Ele contradisse a suposição, afirmando que na verdade havia estado em Devonshire.

Original English

“On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire.”

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Português

O outro indagou se ele queria dizer em espírito.

Original English

“In spirit?”

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Português

Ele confirmou, observando que seu corpo havia permanecido na poltrona e, lamentava dizer, consumido dois grandes potes de café e uma quantidade extraordinária de tabaco durante sua ausência. Depois que o outro partiu, ele mandou buscar um mapa topográfico daquela parte do pântano, e sua mente pairou sobre ele o dia inteiro. Ele se gabava de que poderia se orientar.

Original English

“Exactly. My body has remained in this armchair and has, I regret to observe, consumed in my absence two large pots of coffee and an incredible amount of tobacco. After you left I sent down to Stamford’s for the Ordnance map of this portion of the moor, and my spirit has hovered over it all day. I flatter myself that I could find my way about.”

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Português

O outro presumiu que era um mapa em grande escala.

Original English

“A large-scale map, I presume?”

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Português

Ele confirmou que era de fato muito grande.

Original English

“Very large.”

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Português

Ele desenrolou uma seção do mapa e, segurando-a sobre o joelho, indicou a área de interesse. Baskerville Hall, explicou, estava situado no centro.

Original English

He unrolled one section and held it over his knee. “Here you have the particular district which concerns us. That is Baskerville Hall in the middle.”

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Português

Alguém perguntou se havia um bosque ao redor do solar.

Original English

“With a wood round it?”

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Português

Ele confirmou que a alameda de teixos, embora não estivesse marcada como tal, provavelmente seguia aquela linha, com o brejo à direita. Apontou Grimpen, onde Mortimer residia, e notou habitações esparsas: Lafter Hall, a casa do naturalista Stapleton, e duas fazendas, High Tor e Foulmire. A catorze milhas de distância ficava a prisão de Princetown. Ele descreveu a área intermediária como um brejo desolado e sem vida, o palco onde uma tragédia ocorrera e onde eles poderiam se envolver novamente.

Original English

“Exactly. I fancy the yew alley, though not marked under that name, must stretch along this line, with the moor, as you perceive, upon the right of it. This small clump of buildings here is the hamlet of Grimpen, where our friend Dr. Mortimer has his headquarters. Within a radius of five miles there are, as you see, only a very few scattered dwellings. Here is Lafter Hall, which was mentioned in the narrative. There is a house indicated here which may be the residence of the naturalist—Stapleton, if I remember right, was his name. Here are two moorland farmhouses, High Tor and Foulmire. Then fourteen miles away the great convict prison of Princetown. Between and around these scattered points extends the desolate, lifeless moor. This, then, is the stage upon which tragedy has been played, and upon which we may help to play it again.”

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Português

Um ouvinte comentou que devia ser um lugar selvagem.

Original English

“It must be a wild place.”

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Português

Ele concordou que o cenário era adequado, acrescentando que, se o diabo desejasse se intrometer nos assuntos humanos...

Original English

“Yes, the setting is a worthy one. If the devil did desire to have a hand in the affairs of men—”

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Português

Ele observou que a outra pessoa parecia estar inclinada a uma explicação sobrenatural.

Original English

“Then you are yourself inclining to the supernatural explanation.”

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Português

Ele argumentou que agentes do mal poderiam ser humanos, e levantou duas questões iniciais: se algum crime havia ocorrido e qual era o crime e como foi cometido. Se a suspeita do Dr. Mortimer sobre forças sobrenaturais estivesse correta, a investigação terminaria. Mas eles deveriam considerar todas as outras possibilidades primeiro. Ele fechou a janela, explicando que uma atmosfera concentrada ajuda a concentração, embora não tivesse ido ao ponto de entrar em uma caixa para pensar. Então perguntou se o outro havia considerado o caso.

Original English

“The devil’s agents may be of flesh and blood, may they not? There are two questions waiting for us at the outset. The one is whether any crime has been committed at all; the second is, what is the crime and how was it committed? Of course, if Dr. Mortimer’s surmise should be correct, and we are dealing with forces outside the ordinary laws of Nature, there is an end of our investigation. But we are bound to exhaust all other hypotheses before falling back upon this one. I think we’ll shut that window again, if you don’t mind. It is a singular thing, but I find that a concentrated atmosphere helps a concentration of thought. I have not pushed it to the length of getting into a box to think, but that is the logical outcome of my convictions. Have you turned the case over in your mind?”

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Português

Ele respondeu que passara grande parte do dia considerando o assunto.

Original English

“Yes, I have thought a good deal of it in the course of the day.”

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Português

Ele pediu a opinião dele sobre o assunto.

Original English

“What do you make of it?”

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Português

Ele admitiu que achava a situação muito perplexa.

Original English

“It is very bewildering.”

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Português

O orador observou que as pegadas tinham um caráter distinto. Ele apontou uma mudança nas pegadas e pediu uma interpretação.

Original English

“It has certainly a character of its own. There are points of distinction about it. That change in the footprints, for example. What do you make of that?”

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