Сэр
Артур Конан Дойль (1859 - 1930) - шотландский врач и писатель,
известный прежде всего своими детективными повестями о Шерлоке Холмсе.
Стали популярными также его научно-фантастические произведения о
профессоре Челленджере и исторические романы. Кроме того, он писал пьесы
и стихи.
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.’ 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’. ‘It appears to be a statement of some sort.’ ‘Yes, it is a statement of a certain legend which runs in the Baskerville family.’ ‘But I understand that it is something more modern and practical upon which you wish to consult me?’ ‘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.’ Holmes
leaned back in his chair, placed his finger-tips together, and closed
his eyes, with an air of resignation. Dr Mortimer turned the manuscript
to the light, and read in a high, crackling voice the following curious,
old-world narrative.
------------------------------------------------------- and flattened it upon his knee: [‘flEt(э)nd] [ni:] - и разгладил его на своём колене
faded:[‘feidid] - увядший, сухой; полинялый
in large scrawling figures: [‘skrOliN] - большими цифрами с закорючками
is intimately connected with the affair:[‘intimэtli] - тесно связан с этим событием
leaned back in his chair: lean - leaned - leaned / lean - leant - leant [li:n] - отклонился назад на своём стуле
with an air of resignation: [,rezig’neiш(э)n] - с выражением лица, выражающим покорность
and read in a high, crackling voice: crackle [‘krEkliN] - и прочитал высоким, надтреснутым голосом
