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Conan Doyle - - - - -Chapter 1 -Mr. Sherlock Holmes - - - -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 hearth-rug -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. - -"Well, Watson, what do you make of it?" - -Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I had given him no -sign of my occupation. - -"How did you know what I was doing? I believe you have eyes in -the back of your head." - -"I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated coffee-pot 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." - -"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." - -"Good!" said Holmes. "Excellent!" - -"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." - -"Why so?" - -"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." - -"Perfectly sound!" said Holmes. - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"Has anything escaped me?" I asked with some self-importance. -"I trust that there is nothing of consequence which I have -overlooked?" - -"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." - -"Then I was right." - -"To that extent." - -"But that was all." - -"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." - -"You may be right." - -"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." - -"Well, then, supposing that 'C.C.H.' does stand for 'Charing Cross -Hospital,' what further inferences may we draw?" - -"Do none suggest themselves? You know my methods. Apply them!" - -"I can only think of the obvious conclusion that the man has -practised in town before going to the country." - -"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?" - -"It certainly seems probable." - -"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, absent-minded, and the possessor of a -favourite dog, which I should describe roughly as being larger -than a terrier and smaller than a mastiff." - -I laughed incredulously as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his -settee and blew little wavering rings of smoke up to the ceiling. - -"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. - - "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." - -"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 absent-minded. 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 absent-minded one who leaves his stick and not his -visiting-card after waiting an hour in your room." - -"And the dog?" - -"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." - -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. - -"My dear fellow, how can you possibly be so sure of that?" - -"For the very simple reason that I see the dog himself on our -very door-step, 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!" - -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." - -"A presentation, I see," said Holmes. - -"Yes, sir." - -"From Charing Cross Hospital?" - -"From one or two friends there on the occasion of my marriage." - -"Dear, dear, that's bad!" said Holmes, shaking his head. - -Dr. Mortimer blinked through his glasses in mild astonishment. -"Why was it bad?" - -"Only that you have disarranged our little deductions. Your -marriage, you say?" - -"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." - -"Come, come, we are not so far wrong, after all," said Holmes. -"And now, Dr. James Mortimer--" - -"Mister, sir, Mister--a humble M.R.C.S." - -"And a man of precise mind, evidently." - -"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--" - -"No, this is my friend Dr. Watson." - -"Glad to meet you, sir. I have heard your name mentioned in -connection with that of your friend. You interest me very much, -Mr. Holmes. I had hardly expected so dolichocephalic a skull or -such well-marked supra-orbital development. Would you have any -objection to my running my finger along your parietal fissure? -A cast of your skull, sir, until the original is available, would -be an ornament to any anthropological museum. It is not my -intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet your skull." - -Sherlock Holmes waved our strange visitor into a chair. "You are -an enthusiast in your line of thought, I perceive, sir, as I am -in mine," said he. "I observe from your forefinger that you make -your own cigarettes. Have no hesitation in lighting one." - -The man drew out paper and tobacco and twirled the one up in the -other with surprising dexterity. He had long, quivering fingers -as agile and restless as the antennae of an insect. - -Holmes was silent, but his little darting glances showed me the -interest which he took in our curious companion. "I presume, sir," -said he at last, "that it was not merely for the purpose of -examining my skull that you have done me the honour to call here -last night and again to-day?" - -"No, sir, no; though I am happy to have had the opportunity of -doing that as well. I came to you, Mr. Holmes, because I recognized -that I am myself an unpractical man and because I am suddenly -confronted with a most serious and extraordinary problem. -Recognizing, as I do, that you are the second highest expert in -Europe--" - -"Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?" -asked Holmes with some asperity. - -"To the man of precisely scientific mind the work of Monsieur -Bertillon must always appeal strongly." - -"Then had you not better consult him?" - -"I said, sir, to the precisely scientific mind. But as a practical -man of affairs it is acknowledged that you stand alone. I trust, -sir, that I have not inadvertently--" - -"Just a little," said Holmes. "I think, Dr. Mortimer, you would -do wisely if without more ado you would kindly tell me plainly -what the exact nature of the problem is in which you demand my -assistance." - - - - -Chapter 2 -The Curse of the Baskervilles - - - -"I have in my pocket a manuscript," said Dr. James Mortimer. - -"I observed it as you entered the room," said Holmes. - -"It is an old manuscript." - -"Early eighteenth century, unless it is a forgery." - -"How can you say that, sir?" - -"You have presented an inch or two of it to my examination all -the time that you have been talking. It would be a poor expert -who could not give the date of a document within a decade or so. -You may possibly have read my little monograph upon the subject. -I put that at 1730." - -"The exact date is 1742." Dr. Mortimer drew it from his breast- -pocket. "This family paper was committed to my care by Sir Charles -Baskerville, whose sudden and tragic death some three months ago -created so much excitement in Devonshire. I may say that I was -his personal friend as well as his medical attendant. He was a -strong-minded man, sir, shrewd, practical, and as unimaginative -as I am myself. Yet he took this document very seriously, and -his mind was prepared for just such an end as did eventually -overtake him." - -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, cracking -voice the following curious, old-world narrative: - - "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. - - "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 by-word 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. - - "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. - - "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. - - "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.' 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. - - "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 dare-devil 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. - - "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. - - "[This from Hugo Baskerville to his sons Rodger and John, - with instructions that they say nothing thereof to their - sister Elizabeth.]" - -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. - -"Well?" said he. - -"Do you not find it interesting?" -"To a collector of fairy tales." - -Dr. Mortimer drew a folded newspaper out of his pocket. - -"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." - -My friend leaned a little forward and his expression became -intent. Our visitor readjusted his glasses and began: - - "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. - - "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. - - "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 post-mortem 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." - -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." - -"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?" - -"It does." - -"Then let me have the private ones." He leaned back, put his -finger-tips together, and assumed his most impassive and judicial -expression. - -"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 indorse 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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"Footprints?" - -"Footprints." - -"A man's or a woman's?" - -Dr. Mortimer looked strangely at us for an instant, and his voice -sank almost to a whisper as he answered. - -"Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!" - - - - -Chapter 3 -The Problem - - - -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. - -"You saw this?" - -"As clearly as I see you." - -"And you said nothing?" - -"What was the use?" - -"How was it that no one else saw it?" - -"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." - -"There are many sheep-dogs on the moor?" - -"No doubt, but this was no sheep-dog." - -"You say it was large?" - -"Enormous. " - -"But it had not approached the body?" - -"No." - -"What sort of night was it?' - -"Damp and raw." - -"But not actually raining?" - -"No." - -"What is the alley like?" - -"There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve feet high and -impenetrable. The walk in the centre is about eight feet across." - -"Is there anything between the hedges and the walk?" - -"Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet broad on either side." - -"I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?" - -"Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the moor." - -"Is there any other opening?" - -"None." - -"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?" - -"There is an exit through a summer-house at the far end." - -"Had Sir Charles reached this?" - -"No; he lay about fifty yards from it." - -"Now, tell me, Dr. Mortimer--and this is important--the marks -which you saw were on the path and not on the grass?" - -"No marks could show on the grass." - -"Were they on the same side of the path as the moor-gate?" - -"Yes; they were on the edge of the path on the same side as the -moor-gate." - -"You interest me exceedingly. Another point. Was the -wicket-gate closed?" - -"Closed and padlocked." - -"How high was it?" - -"About four feet high." - -"Then anyone could have got over it?" - -"Yes." - -"And what marks did you see by the wicket-gate?" - -"None in particular." - -"Good heaven! Did no one examine?" - -"Yes, I examined, myself." - -"And found nothing?" - -"It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evidently stood there -for five or ten minutes." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Because the ash had twice dropped from his cigar." - -"Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after our own heart. -But the marks?" - -"He had left his own marks all over that small patch of gravel. -I could discern no others." - -Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his knee with an -impatient gesture. - -"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." - -"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--" - -"Why do you hesitate?" - -"There is a realm in which the most acute and most experienced -of detectives is helpless." - -"You mean that the thing is supernatural?" - -"I did not positively say so." - -"No, but you evidently think it." - -"Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have come to my ears several -incidents which are hard to reconcile with the settled order of Nature." - -"For example?" - -"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 hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and one a -moorland farmer, who all tell the same story of this dreadful -apparition, exactly corresponding to the hell-hound 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." - -"And you, a trained man of science, believe it to be supernatural?" - -"I do not know what to believe." - -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." - -"The original hound was material enough to tug a man's throat out, -and yet he was diabolical as well." - -"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." - -"I did not say that I desired you to do it." - -"Then, how can I assist you?" - -"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." - -"He being the heir?" - -"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." - -"There is no other claimant, I presume?" - -"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?" - -"Why should he not go to the home of his fathers?" - -"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." - -Holmes considered for a little time. - -"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?" - -"At least I might go the length of saying that there is some -evidence that this may be so." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"And then?" - -"And then you will say nothing to him at all until I have made -up my mind about the matter." - -"How long will it take you to make up your mind?" - -"Twenty-four hours. At ten o'clock to-morrow, 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." - -"I will do so, Mr. Holmes." He scribbled the appointment on his -shirt-cuff and hurried off in his strange, peering, absent-minded -fashion. Holmes stopped him at the head of the stair. - -"Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer. You say that before Sir -Charles Baskerville's death several people saw this apparition -upon the moor?" - -"Three people did." - -"Did any see it after?" - -"I have not heard of any." - -"Thank you. Good-morning." - -Holmes returned to his seat with that quiet look of inward -satisfaction which meant that he had a congenial task before him. - -"Going out, Watson?" - -"Unless I can help you." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"Caught cold, Watson?" said he. - -"No, it's this poisonous atmosphere." - -"I suppose it is pretty thick, now that you mention it." - -"Thick! It is intolerable." - -"Open the window, then! You have been at your club all day, I -perceive." - -"My dear Holmes!" - -"Am I right?" - -"Certainly, but how?" - -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?" - -"Well, it is rather obvious." - -"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance -ever observes. Where do you think that I have been?" - -"A fixture also." - -"On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire." - -"In spirit?" - -"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." - -"A large-scale map, I presume?" - -"Very large." - -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." - -"With a wood round it?" - -"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." - -"It must be a wild place." - -"Yes, the setting is a worthy one. If the devil did desire to -have a hand in the affairs of men--" - -"Then you are yourself inclining to the supernatural explanation." - -"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?" - -"Yes, I have thought a good deal of it in the course of the day." - -"What do you make of it?" - -"It is very bewildering." - -"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?" - -"Mortimer said that the man had walked on tiptoe down that -portion of the alley." - -"He only repeated what some fool had said at the inquest. Why -should a man walk on tiptoe down the alley?" - -"What then?" - -"He was running, Watson--running desperately, running for his life, -running until he burst his heart--and fell dead upon his face." - -"Running from what?" - -"There lies our problem. There are indications that the man was -crazed with fear before ever he began to run." - -"How can you say that?" - -"I am presuming that the cause of his fears came to him across -the moor. If that were so, and it seems most probable only a -man who had lost his wits would have run from the house instead -of towards it. If the gipsy's evidence may be taken as true, he -ran with cries for help in the direction where help was least -likely to be. Then, again, whom was he waiting for that night, -and why was he waiting for him in the yew alley rather than in -his own house?" - -"You think that he was waiting for someone?" - -"The man was elderly and infirm. We can understand his taking an -evening stroll, but the ground was damp and the night inclement. -Is it natural that he should stand for five or ten minutes, as -Dr. Mortimer, with more practical sense than I should have given -him credit for, deduced from the cigar ash?" - -"But he went out every evening." - -"I think it unlikely that he waited at the moor-gate every evening. -On the contrary, the evidence is that he avoided the moor. That -night he waited there. It was the night before he made his -departure for London. The thing takes shape, Watson. It becomes -coherent. Might I ask you to hand me my violin, and we will -postpone all further thought upon this business until we have -had the advantage of meeting Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry -Baskerville in the morning." - - - - -Chapter 4 -Sir Henry Baskerville - - - -Our breakfast table was cleared early, and Holmes waited in his -dressing-gown for the promised interview. Our clients were -punctual to their appointment, for the clock had just struck ten -when Dr. Mortimer was shown up, followed by the young baronet. -The latter was a small, alert, dark-eyed man about thirty years -of age, very sturdily built, with thick black eyebrows and a -strong, pugnacious face. He wore a ruddy-tinted tweed suit and -had the weather-beaten appearance of one who has spent most of -his time in the open air, and yet there was something in his -steady eye and the quiet assurance of his bearing which -indicated the gentleman. - -"This is Sir Henry Baskerville," said Dr. Mortimer. - -"Why, yes," said he, "and the strange thing is, Mr. Sherlock -Holmes, that if my friend here had not proposed coming round to you -this morning I should have come on my own account. I understand -that you think out little puzzles, and I've had one this morning -which wants more thinking out than I am able to give it." - -"Pray take a seat, Sir Henry. Do I understand you to say -that you have yourself had some remarkable experience since -you arrived in London?" - -"Nothing of much importance, Mr. Holmes. Only a joke, as like -as not. It was this letter, if you can call it a letter, which -reached me this morning." - -He laid an envelope upon the table, and we all bent over it. It -was of common quality, grayish in colour. The address, "Sir -Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel," was printed in rough -characters; the post-mark "Charing Cross," and the date of -posting the preceding evening. - -"Who knew that you were going to the Northumberland Hotel?" asked -Holmes, glancing keenly across at our visitor. - -"No one could have known. We only decided after I met Dr. Mortimer." - -"But Dr. Mortimer was no doubt already stopping there?" - -"No, I had been staying with a friend," said the doctor. - -"There was no possible indication that we intended to go to this -hotel." - -"Hum! Someone seems to be very deeply interested in your movements." -Out of the envelope he took a half-sheet of fools-cap paper folded -into four. This he opened and spread flat upon the table. Across -the middle of it a single sentence had been formed by the expedient -of pasting printed words upon it. It ran: - - As you value your life or your reason keep away from the moor. - -The word "moor" only was printed in ink. - -"Now," said Sir Henry Baskerville, "perhaps you will tell me, Mr. -Holmes, what in thunder is the meaning of that, and who it is -that takes so much interest in my affairs?" - -"What do you make of it, Dr. Mortimer? You must allow that there -is nothing supernatural about this, at any rate?" - -"No, sir, but it might very well come from someone who was -convinced that the business is supernatural." - -"What business?" asked Sir Henry sharply. "It seems to me that -all you gentlemen know a great deal more than I do about my own -affairs." - -"You shall share our knowledge before you leave this room, Sir -Henry. I promise you that," said Sherlock Holmes. "We will -confine ourselves for the present with your permission to this -very interesting document, which must have been put together and -posted yesterday evening. Have you yesterday's Times, Watson?" - -"It is here in the corner." - -"Might I trouble you for it--the inside page, please, with the -leading articles?" He glanced swiftly over it, running his eyes -up and down the columns. "Capital article this on free trade. -Permit me to give you an extract from it. - -"You may be cajoled into imagining that your own special trade -or your own industry will be encouraged by a protective tariff, -but it stands to reason that such legislation must in the long -run keep away wealth from the country, diminish the value of our -imports, and lower the general conditions of life in this island. - -"What do you think of that, Watson?" cried Holmes in high glee, -rubbing his hands together with satisfaction. "Don't you think -that is an admirable sentiment?" - -Dr. Mortimer looked at Holmes with an air of professional interest, -and Sir Henry Baskerville turned a pair of puzzled dark eyes upon me. - -"I don't know much about the tariff and things of that kind," said -he, "but it seems to me we've got a bit off the trail so far as -that note is concerned." - -"On the contrary, I think we are particularly hot upon the trail, -Sir Henry. Watson here knows more about my methods than you do, -but I fear that even he has not quite grasped the significance -of this sentence." - -"No, I confess that I see no connection." - -"And yet, my dear Watson, there is so very close a connection that -the one is extracted out of the other. 'You,' 'your,' 'your,' -'life,' 'reason,' 'value,' 'keep away,' 'from the.' Don't you -see now whence these words have been taken?" - -"By thunder, you're right! Well, if that isn't smart!" cried -Sir Henry. - -"If any possible doubt remained it is settled by the fact that -'keep away' and 'from the' are cut out in one piece." - -"Well, now--so it is!" - -"Really, Mr. Holmes, this exceeds anything which I could have -imagined," said Dr. Mortimer, gazing at my friend in amazement. -"I could understand anyone saying that the words were from a -newspaper; but that you should name which, and add that it came -from the leading article, is really one of the most remarkable -things which I have ever known. How did you do it?" - -"I presume, Doctor, that you could tell the skull of a negro from -that of an Esquimau?" - -"Most certainly." - -"But how?" - -"Because that is my special hobby. The differences are obvious. -The supra-orbital crest, the facial angle, the maxillary curve, -the--" - -"But this is my special hobby, and the differences are equally -obvious. There is as much difference to my eyes between the -leaded bourgeois type of a Times article and the slovenly print -of an evening half-penny paper as there could be between your -negro and your Esquimau. The detection of types is one of the -most elementary branches of knowledge to the special expert in -crime, though I confess that once when I was very young I confused -the Leeds Mercury with the Western Morning News. But a Times -leader is entirely distinctive, and these words could have been -taken from nothing else. As it was done yesterday the strong -probability was that we should find the words in yesterday's issue." - -"So far as I can follow you, then, Mr. Holmes," said Sir Henry -Baskerville, "someone cut out this message with a scissors--" - -"Nail-scissors," said Holmes. "You can see that it was a very -short-bladed scissors, since the cutter had to take two snips -over 'keep away.'" - -"That is so. Someone, then, cut out the message with a pair of -short-bladed scissors, pasted it with paste--" - -"Gum," said Holmes. - -"With gum on to the paper. But I want to know why the word 'moor' -should have been written?" - -"Because he could not find it in print. The other words were all -simple and might be found in any issue, but 'moor' would be less -common." - -"Why, of course, that would explain it. Have you read anything -else in this message, Mr. Holmes?" - -"There are one or two indications, and yet the utmost pains have -been taken to remove all clues. The address, you observe is -printed in rough characters. But the Times is a paper which is -seldom found in any hands but those of the highly educated. We -may take it, therefore, that the letter was composed by an -educated man who wished to pose as an uneducated one, and his -effort to conceal his own writing suggests that that writing -might be known, or come to be known, by you. Again, you will -observe that the words are not gummed on in an accurate line, -but that some are much higher than others. 'Life,' for example -is quite out of its proper place. That may point to carelessness -or it may point to agitation and hurry upon the part of the -cutter. On the whole I incline to the latter view, since the -matter was evidently important, and it is unlikely that the -composer of such a letter would be careless. If he were in a -hurry it opens up the interesting question why he should be in -a hurry, since any letter posted up to early morning would reach -Sir Henry before he would leave his hotel. Did the composer fear -an interruption--and from whom?" - -"We are coming now rather into the region of guesswork," said -Dr. Mortimer. - -"Say, rather, into the region where we balance probabilities and -choose the most likely. It is the scientific use of the imagination, -but we have always some material basis on which to start our -speculation. Now, you would call it a guess, no doubt, but I am -almost certain that this address has been written in a hotel." - -"How in the world can you say that?" - -"If you examine it carefully you will see that both the pen and -the ink have given the writer trouble. The pen has spluttered -twice in a single word and has run dry three times in a short -address, showing that there was very little ink in the bottle. -Now, a private pen or ink-bottle is seldom allowed to be in such -a state, and the combination of the two must be quite rare. But -you know the hotel ink and the hotel pen, where it is rare to get -anything else. Yes, I have very little hesitation in saying that -could we examine the waste-paper baskets of the hotels around -Charing Cross until we found the remains of the mutilated Times -leader we could lay our hands straight upon the person who sent -this singular message. Halloa! Halloa! What's this?" - -He was carefully examining the foolscap, upon which the words -were pasted, holding it only an inch or two from his eyes. - -"Well?" - -"Nothing," said he, throwing it down. "It is a blank half-sheet -of paper, without even a water-mark upon it. I think we have -drawn as much as we can from this curious letter; and now, Sir -Henry, has anything else of interest happened to you since you -have been in London?" - -"Why, no, Mr. Holmes. I think not." - -"You have not observed anyone follow or watch you?" - -"I seem to have walked right into the thick of a dime novel," -said our visitor. "Why in thunder should anyone follow or watch -me?" - -"We are coming to that. You have nothing else to report to us -before we go into this matter?" - -"Well, it depends upon what you think worth reporting." - -"I think anything out of the ordinary routine of life well worth -reporting." - -Sir Henry smiled. "I don't know much of British life yet, for I -have spent nearly all my time in the States and in Canada. But -I hope that to lose one of your boots is not part of the ordinary -routine of life over here." - -"You have lost one of your boots?" - -"My dear sir," cried Dr. Mortimer, "it is only mislaid. You will -find it when you return to the hotel. What is the use of -troubling Mr. Holmes with trifles of this kind?" - -"Well, he asked me for anything outside the ordinary routine." - -"Exactly," said Holmes, "however foolish the incident may seem. -You have lost one of your boots, you say?" - -"Well, mislaid it, anyhow. I put them both outside my door last -night, and there was only one in the morning. I could get no -sense out of the chap who cleans them. The worst of it is that -I only bought the pair last night in the Strand, and I have never -had them on." - -"If you have never worn them, why did you put them out to be -cleaned?" - -"They were tan boots and had never been varnished. That was why -I put them out." - -"Then I understand that on your arrival in London yesterday you -went out at once and bought a pair of boots?" - -"I did a good deal of shopping. Dr. Mortimer here went round -with me. You see, if I am to be squire down there I must dress -the part, and it may be that I have got a little careless in my -ways out West. Among other things I bought these brown boots-- -gave six dollars for them--and had one stolen before ever I had -them on my feet." - -"It seems a singularly useless thing to steal," said Sherlock -Holmes. "I confess that I share Dr. Mortimer's belief that it -will not be long before the missing boot is found." - -"And, now, gentlemen," said the baronet with decision, "it seems -to me that I have spoken quite enough about the little that I -know. It is time that you kept your promise and gave me a full -account of what we are all driving at." - -"Your request is a very reasonable one," Holmes answered. "Dr. -Mortimer, I think you could not do better than to tell your story -as you told it to us." - -Thus encouraged, our scientific friend drew his papers from his -pocket and presented the whole case as he had done upon the -morning before. Sir Henry Baskerville listened with the deepest -attention and with an occasional exclamation of surprise. - -"Well, I seem to have come into an inheritance with a vengeance," -said he when the long narrative was finished. "Of course, I've -heard of the hound ever since I was in the nursery. It's the pet -story of the family, though I never thought of taking it seriously -before. But as to my uncle's death--well, it all seems boiling -up in my head, and I can't get it clear yet. You don't seem -quite to have made up your mind whether it's a case for a -policeman or a clergyman." - -"Precisely." - -"And now there's this affair of the letter to me at the hotel. -I suppose that fits into its place." - -"It seems to show that someone knows more than we do about what -goes on upon the moor," said Dr. Mortimer. - -"And also," said Holmes, "that someone is not ill-disposed towards -you, since they warn you of danger." - -"Or it may be that they wish, for their own purposes, to scare -me away." - -"Well, of course, that is possible also. I am very much indebted -to you, Dr. Mortimer, for introducing me to a problem which -presents several interesting alternatives. But the practical -point which we now have to decide, Sir Henry, is whether it is -or is not advisable for you to go to Baskerville Hall." - -"Why should I not go?" - -"There seems to be danger." - -"Do you mean danger from this family fiend or do you mean danger -from human beings?" - -"Well, that is what we have to find out." - -"Whichever it is, my answer is fixed. There is no devil in hell, -Mr. Holmes, and there is no man upon earth who can prevent me -from going to the home of my own people, and you may take that -to be my final answer." His dark brows knitted and his face -flushed to a dusky red as he spoke. It was evident that the fiery -temper of the Baskervilles was not extinct in this their last -representative. "Meanwhile," said he, "I have hardly had time -to think over all that you have told me. It's a big thing for a -man to have to understand and to decide at one sitting. I should -like to have a quiet hour by myself to make up my mind. Now, -look here, Mr. Holmes, it's half-past eleven now and I am going -back right away to my hotel. Suppose you and your friend, Dr. -Watson, come round and lunch with us at two. I'll be able to -tell you more clearly then how this thing strikes me." - -"Is that convenient to you, Watson?" - -"Perfectly." - -"Then you may expect us. Shall I have a cab called?" - -"I'd prefer to walk, for this affair has flurried me rather." - -"I'll join you in a walk, with pleasure," said his companion. - -"Then we meet again at two o'clock. Au revoir, and good-morning!" - -We heard the steps of our visitors descend the stair and the -bang of the front door. In an instant Holmes had changed from -the languid dreamer to the man of action. - -"Your hat and boots, Watson, quick! Not a moment to lose!" He -rushed into his room in his dressing-gown and was back again in -a few seconds in a frock-coat. We hurried together down the -stairs and into the street. Dr. Mortimer and Baskerville were -still visible about two hundred yards ahead of us in the -direction of Oxford Street. - -"Shall I run on and stop them?" - -"Not for the world, my dear Watson. I am perfectly satisfied with -your company if you will tolerate mine. Our friends are wise, -for it is certainly a very fine morning for a walk." - -He quickened his pace until we had decreased the distance which -divided us by about half. Then, still keeping a hundred yards -behind, we followed into Oxford Street and so down Regent Street. -Once our friends stopped and stared into a shop window, upon -which Holmes did the same. An instant afterwards he gave a little -cry of satisfaction, and, following the direction of his eager -eyes, I saw that a hansom cab with a man inside which had halted on -the other side of the street was now proceeding slowly onward again. - - -"There's our man, Watson! Come along! We'll have a good look -at him, if we can do no more." - -At that instant I was aware of a bushy black beard and a pair of -piercing eyes turned upon us through the side window of the cab. -Instantly the trapdoor at the top flew up, something was screamed -to the driver, and the cab flew madly off down Regent Street. -Holmes looked eagerly round for another, but no empty one was in -sight. Then he dashed in wild pursuit amid the stream of the -traffic, but the start was too great, and already the cab was -out of sight. - -"There now!" said Holmes bitterly as he emerged panting and -white with vexation from the tide of vehicles. "Was ever such -bad luck and such bad management, too? Watson, Watson, if you -are an honest man you will record this also and set it against -my successes!" - -"Who was the man?" - -"I have not an idea." - -"A spy?" - -"Well, it was evident from what we have heard that Baskerville -has been very closely shadowed by someone since he has been in -town. How else could it be known so quickly that it was the -Northumberland Hotel which he had chosen? If they had followed -him the first day I argued that they would follow him also the -second. You may have observed that I twice strolled over to the -window while Dr. Mortimer was reading his legend." - -"Yes, I remember." - -"I was looking out for loiterers in the street, but I saw none. -We are dealing with a clever man, Watson. This matter cuts very -deep, and though I have not finally made up my mind whether it is -a benevolent or a malevolent agency which is in touch with us, I -am conscious always of power and design. When our friends left I -at once followed them in the hopes of marking down their invisible -attendant. So wily was he that he had not trusted himself upon -foot, but he had availed himself of a cab so that he could loiter -behind or dash past them and so escape their notice. His method -had the additional advantage that if they were to take a cab he -was all ready to follow them. It has, however, one obvious -disadvantage." - -"It puts him in the power of the cabman." - -"Exactly." - -"What a pity we did not get the number!" - -"My dear Watson, clumsy as I have been, you surely do not seriously -imagine that I neglected to get the number? No.2704 is our man. -But that is no use to us for the moment." - -"I fail to see how you could have done more." - -"On observing the cab I should have instantly turned and walked -in the other direction. I should then at my leisure have hired -a second cab and followed the first at a respectful distance, or, -better still, have driven to the Northumberland Hotel and waited -there. When our unknown had followed Baskerville home we should -have had the opportunity of playing his own game upon himself -and seeing where he made for. As it is, by an indiscreet -eagerness, which was taken advantage of with extraordinary -quickness and energy by our opponent, we have betrayed ourselves -and lost our man." - -We had been sauntering slowly down Regent Street during this -conversation, and Dr. Mortimer, with his companion, had long -vanished in front of us. - -"There is no object in our following them," said Holmes. "The -shadow has departed and will not return. We must see what -further cards we have in our hands and play them with decision. -Could you swear to that man's face within the cab?" - -"I could swear only to the beard." - -"And so could I--from which I gather that in all probability it -was a false one. A clever man upon so delicate an errand has no -use for a beard save to conceal his features. Come in here, -Watson!" - -He turned into one of the district messenger offices, where he -was warmly greeted by the manager. - -"Ah, Wilson, I see you have not forgotten the little case in -which I had the good fortune to help you?" - -"No, sir, indeed I have not. You saved my good name, and perhaps -my life." - -"My dear fellow, you exaggerate. I have some recollection, Wilson, -that you had among your boys a lad named Cartwright, who showed -some ability during the investigation." - -"Yes, sir, he is still with us." - -"Could you ring him up? -- thank you! And I should be glad to -have change of this five-pound note." - -A lad of fourteen, with a bright, keen face, had obeyed the summons -of the manager. He stood now gazing with great reverence at the -famous detective. - -"Let me have the Hotel Directory," said Holmes. "Thank you! Now, -Cartwright, there are the names of twenty-three hotels here, all -in the immediate neighbourhood of Charing Cross. Do you see?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"You will visit each of these in turn." - -"Yes, sir." - -"You will begin in each case by giving the outside porter one -shilling. Here are twenty-three shillings." - -"Yes, sir." - -"You will tell him that you want to see the waste-paper of -yesterday. You will say that an important telegram has miscarried -and that you are looking for it. You understand?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"But what you are really looking for is the centre page of the -Times with some holes cut in it with scissors. Here is a copy -of the Times. It is this page. You could easily recognize it, -could you not?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"In each case the outside porter will send for the hall porter, -to whom also you will give a shilling. Here are twenty-three -shillings. You will then learn in possibly twenty cases out of -the twenty-three that the waste of the day before has been burned -or removed. In the three other cases you will be shown a heap -of paper and you will look for this page of the Times among it. -The odds are enormously against your finding it. There are ten -shillings over in case of emergencies. Let me have a report by -wire at Baker Street before evening. And now, Watson, it only -remains for us to find out by wire the identity of the cabman, -No. 2704, and then we will drop into one of the Bond Street picture -galleries and fill in the time until we are due at the hotel." - - - - -Chapter 5 -Three Broken Threads - - - -Sherlock Holmes had, in a very remarkable degree, the power of -detaching his mind at will. For two hours the strange business -in which we had been involved appeared to be forgotten, and he -was entirely absorbed in the pictures of the modern Belgian -masters. He would talk of nothing but art, of which he had the -crudest ideas, from our leaving the gallery until we found ourselves -at the Northumberland Hotel. - -"Sir Henry Baskerville is upstairs expecting you," said the clerk. -"He asked me to show you up at once when you came." - -"Have you any objection to my looking at your register?" said -Holmes. - -"Not in the least." - -The book showed that two names had been added after that of -Baskerville. One was Theophilus Johnson and family, of -Newcastle; the other Mrs. Oldmore and maid, of High Lodge, Alton. - -"Surely that must be the same Johnson whom I used to know," said -Holmes to the porter. "A lawyer, is he not, gray-headed, and -walks with a limp?" - -"No, sir, this is Mr. Johnson, the coal-owner, a very active -gentleman, not older than yourself." - -"Surely you are mistaken about his trade?" - -"No, sir! he has used this hotel for many years, and he is very -well known to us." - -"Ah, that settles it. Mrs. Oldmore, too; I seem to remember the -name. Excuse my curiosity, but often in calling upon one friend -one finds another." - -"She is an invalid lady, sir. Her husband was once mayor of -Gloucester. She always comes to us when she is in town." - -"Thank you; I am afraid I cannot claim her acquaintance. We have -established a most important fact by these questions, Watson," he -continued in a low voice as we went upstairs together. "We know -now that the people who are so interested in our friend have not -settled down in his own hotel. That means that while they are, as -we have seen, very anxious to watch him, they are equally anxious -that he should not see them. Now, this is a most suggestive fact." - -"What does it suggest?" - -"It suggests--halloa, my dear fellow, what on earth is the matter?" - -As we came round the top of the stairs we had run up against Sir -Henry Baskerville himself. His face was flushed with anger, and -he held an old and dusty boot in one of his hands. So furious -was he that he was hardly articulate, and when he did speak it -was in a much broader and more Western dialect than any which we -had heard from him in the morning. - -"Seems to me they are playing me for a sucker in this hotel," he -cried. "They'll find they've started in to monkey with the wrong -man unless they are careful. By thunder, if that chap can't find -my missing boot there will be trouble. I can take a joke with -the best, Mr. Holmes, but they've got a bit over the mark this time." - -"Still looking for your boot?" - -"Yes, sir, and mean to find it." - -"But, surely, you said that it was a new brown boot?" - -"So it was, sir. And now it's an old black one." - -"What! you don't mean to say ?" - -"That's just what I do mean to say. I only had three pairs in -the world--the new brown, the old black, and the patent leathers, -which I am wearing. Last night they took one of my brown ones, -and today they have sneaked one of the black. Well, have you got -it? Speak out, man, and don't stand staring!" - -An agitated German waiter had appeared upon the scene. - -"No, sir; I have made inquiry all over the hotel, but I can hear -no word of it." - -"Well, either that boot comes back before sundown or I'll see the -manager and tell him that I go right straight out of this hotel." - -"It shall be found, sir--I promise you that if you will have a -little patience it will be found." - -"Mind it is, for it's the last thing of mine that I'll lose in -this den of thieves. Well, well, Mr. Holmes, you'll excuse my -troubling you about such a trifle--" - -"I think it's well worth troubling about." - -"Why, you look very serious over it." - -"How do you explain it?" - -"I just don't attempt to explain it. It seems the very maddest, -queerest thing that ever happened to me." - -"The queerest perhaps--" said Holmes thoughtfully. - -"What do you make of it yourself?" - -"Well, I don't profess to understand it yet. This case of yours -is very complex, Sir Henry. When taken in conjunction with your -uncle's death I am not sure that of all the five hundred cases -of capital importance which I have handled there is one which -cuts so deep. But we hold several threads in our hands, and the -odds are that one or other of them guides us to the truth. We -may waste time in following the wrong one, but sooner or later -we must come upon the right." - -We had a pleasant luncheon in which little was said of the -business which had brought us together. It was in the private -sitting-room to which we afterwards repaired that Holmes asked -Baskerville what were his intentions. - -"To go to Baskerville Hall." - -"And when?" - -"At the end of the week." - -"On the whole," said Holmes, "I think that your decision is a wise -one. I have ample evidence that you are being dogged in London, -and amid the millions of this great city it is difficult to -discover who these people are or what their object can be. If -their intentions are evil they might do you a mischief, and we -should be powerless to prevent it. You did not know, Dr. Mortimer, -that you were followed this morning from my house?" - -Dr. Mortimer started violently. "Followed! By whom?" - -"That, unfortunately, is what I cannot tell you. Have you among -your neighbours or acquaintances on Dartmoor any man with a black, -full beard?" - -"No--or, let me see--why, yes. Barrymore, Sir Charles's butler, -is a man with a full, black beard." - -"Ha! Where is Barrymore?" - -"He is in charge of the Hall." - -"We had best ascertain if he is really there, or if by any -possibility he might be in London." - -"How can you do that?" - -"Give me a telegraph form. 'Is all ready for Sir Henry?' That -will do. Address to Mr. Barrymore, Baskerville Hall. What is -the nearest telegraph-office? Grimpen. Very good, we will send -a second wire to the postmaster, Grimpen: 'Telegram to Mr. Barrymore -to be delivered into his own hand. If absent, please return wire -to Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel.' That should -let us know before evening whether Barrymore is at his post in -Devonshire or not." - -"That's so," said Baskerville. "By the way, Dr. Mortimer, who -is this Barrymore, anyhow?" - -"He is the son of the old caretaker, who is dead. They have looked -after the Hall for four generations now. So far as I know, he -and his wife are as respectable a couple as any in the county." - -"At the same time," said Baskerville, "it's clear enough that so -long as there are none of the family at the Hall these people -have a mighty fine home and nothing to do." - -"That is true." - -"Did Barrymore profit at all by Sir Charles's will?" asked Holmes. - -"He and his wife had five hundred pounds each." - -"Ha! Did they know that they would receive this?" - -"Yes; Sir Charles was very fond of talking about the provisions -of his will." - -"That is very interesting." - -"I hope," said Dr. Mortimer, "that you do not look with suspicious -eyes upon everyone who received a legacy from Sir Charles, for -I also had a thousand pounds left to me." - -"Indeed! And anyone else?" - -"There were many insignificant sums to individuals, and a large -number of public charities. The residue all went to Sir Henry." - -"And how much was the residue?" - -"Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds." - -Holmes raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I had no idea that so -gigantic a sum was involved," said he. - -"Sir Charles had the reputation of being rich, but we did not know -how very rich he was until we came to examine his securities. -The total value of the estate was close on to a million." - -"Dear me! It is a stake for which a man might well play a -desperate game. And one more question, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing -that anything happened to our young friend here--you will forgive -the unpleasant hypothesis!--who would inherit the estate?" - -"Since Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles's younger brother died -unmarried, the estate would descend to the Desmonds, who are -distant cousins. James Desmond is an elderly clergyman in -Westmoreland." - -"Thank you. These details are all of great interest. Have you -met Mr. James Desmond?" - -"Yes; he once came down to visit Sir Charles. He is a man of -venerable appearance and of saintly life. I remember that he -refused to accept any settlement from Sir Charles, though he -pressed it upon him." - -"And this man of simple tastes would be the heir to Sir Charles's -thousands." - -"He would be the heir to the estate because that is entailed. -He would also be the heir to the money unless it were willed -otherwise by the present owner, who can, of course, do what he -likes with it." - -"And have you made your will, Sir Henry?" - -"No, Mr. Holmes, I have not. I've had no time, for it was only -yesterday that I learned how matters stood. But in any case I -feel that the money should go with the title and estate. That -was my poor uncle's idea. How is the owner going to restore the -glories of the Baskervilles if he has not money enough to keep -up the property? House, land, and dollars must go together." - -"Quite so. Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind with you as to the -advisability of your going down to Devonshire without delay. -There is only one provision which I must make. You certainly -must not go alone." - -"Dr. Mortimer returns with me." - -"But Dr. Mortimer has his practice to attend to, and his house -is miles away from yours. With all the goodwill in the world he -may be unable to help you. No, Sir Henry, you must take with you -someone, a trusty man, who will be always by your side." - -"Is it possible that you could come yourself, Mr. Holmes?" - -"If matters came to a crisis I should endeavour to be present in -person; but you can understand that, with my extensive consulting -practice and with the constant appeals which reach me from many -quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent from London for -an indefinite time. At the present instant one of the most -revered names in England is being besmirched by a blackmailer, -and only I can stop a disastrous scandal. You will see how -impossible it is for me to go to Dartmoor." - -"Whom would you recommend, then?" - -Holmes laid his hand upon my arm. "If my friend would undertake -it there is no man who is better worth having at your side when -you are in a tight place. No one can say so more confidently -than I." - -The proposition took me completely by surprise, but before I had -time to answer, Baskerville seized me by the hand and wrung it -heartily. - -"Well, now, that is real kind of you, Dr. Watson," said he. "You -see how it is with me, and you know just as much about the matter -as I do. If you will come down to Baskerville Hall and see me -through I'll never forget it." - -The promise of adventure had always a fascination for me, and I -was complimented by the words of Holmes and by the eagerness with -which the baronet hailed me as a companion. - -"I will come, with pleasure," said I. "I do not know how I could -employ my time better." - -"And you will report very carefully to me," said Holmes. "When -a crisis comes, as it will do, I will direct how you shall act. -I suppose that by Saturday all might be ready?" - -"Would that suit Dr. Watson?" - -"Perfectly." - -"Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the contrary, we shall meet -at the ten-thirty train from Paddington." - -We had risen to depart when Baskerville gave a cry, of triumph, -and diving into one of the corners of the room he drew a brown -boot from under a cabinet. - -"My missing boot!" he cried. - -"May all our difficulties vanish as easily!" said Sherlock Holmes. - -"But it is a very, singular thing," Dr. Mortimer remarked. "I -searched this room carefully before lunch." - -"And so did I," said Baskerville. "Every, inch of it." - -"There was certainly no boot in it then." -"In that case the waiter must have placed it there while we were -lunching." - -The German was sent for but professed to know nothing of the -matter, nor could any inquiry, clear it up. Another item had -been added to that constant and apparently purposeless series -of small mysteries which had succeeded each other so rapidly. -Setting aside the whole grim story, of Sir Charles's death, we -had a line of inexplicable incidents all within the limits of -two days, which included the receipt of the printed letter, the -black-bearded spy in the hansom, the loss of the new brown boot, -the loss of the old black boot, and now the return of the new -brown boot. Holmes sat in silence in the cab as we drove back -to Baker Street, and I knew from his drawn brows and keen face -that his mind, like my own, was busy in endeavouring to frame -some scheme into which all these strange and apparently disconnected -episodes could be fitted. All afternoon and late into the -evening he sat lost in tobacco and thought. - -Just before dinner two telegrams were handed in. The first ran: - -Have just heard that Barrymore is at the Hall. -BASKERVILLE. - -The second: - -Visited twenty-three hotels as directed, but sorry, to report -unable to trace cut sheet of Times. -CARTWRlGHT. - -"There go two of my threads, Watson. There is nothing more -stimulating than a case where everything goes against you. We -must cast round for another scent." - -"We have still the cabman who drove the spy." - -"Exactly. I had wired to get his name and address from the -Official Registry. I should not be surprised if this were an -answer to my question." - -The ring at the bell proved to be something even more satisfactory -than an answer, however, for the door opened and a rough-looking -fellow entered who was evidently the man himself. - -"I got a message from the head office that a gent at this address -had been inquiring for No. 2704," said he. "I've driven my cab this -seven years and never a word of complaint. I came here straight -from the Yard to ask you to your face what you had against me." - -"I have nothing in the world against you, my good man," said -Holmes. "On the contrary, I have half a sovereign for you if you -will give me a clear answer to my questions." - -"Well, I've had a good day and no mistake," said the cabman with -a grin. "What was it you wanted to ask, sir?" - -"First of all your name and address, in case I want you again." - -"John Clayton, 3 Turpey Street, the Borough. My cab is out of -Shipley's Yard, near Waterloo Station." - -Sherlock Holmes made a note of it. - -"Now, Clayton, tell me all about the fare who came and watched -this house at ten o'clock this morning and afterwards followed -the two gentlemen down Regent Street." - -The man looked surprised and a little embarrassed. "Why there's -no good my telling you things, for you seem to know as much as I -do already," said he. "The truth is that the gentleman told me -that he was a detective and that I was to say nothing about him -to anyone." - -"My good fellow; this is a very serious business, and you may find -yourself in a pretty bad position if you try to hide anything from -me. You say that your fare told you that he was a detective?" - -"Yes, he did." - -"When did he say this?" - -"When he left me." - -"Did he say anything more?" - -"He mentioned his name." - -Holmes cast a swift glance of triumph at me. "Oh, he mentioned -his name, did he? That was imprudent. What was the name that -he mentioned?" - -"His name," said the cabman, "was Mr. Sherlock Holmes." - -Never have I seen my friend more completely taken aback than by -the cabman's reply. For an instant he sat in silent amazement. -Then he burst into a hearty laugh. - -"A touch, Watson--an undeniable touch!" said he. "I feel a foil -as quick and supple as my own. He got home upon me very prettily -that time. So his name was Sherlock Holmes, was it?" - -"Yes, sir, that was the gentleman's name." - -"Excellent! Tell me where you picked him up and all that occurred." - -"He hailed me at half-past nine in Trafalgar Square. He said that -he was a detective, and he offered me two guineas if I would do -exactly what he wanted all day and ask no questions. I was glad -enough to agree. First we drove down to the Northumberland Hotel -and waited there until two gentlemen came out and took a cab from -the rank. We followed their cab until it pulled up somewhere -near here." - -"This very door," said Holmes. - -"Well, I couldn't be sure of that, but I dare say my fare knew -all about it. We pulled up halfway down the street and waited -an hour and a half. Then the two gentlemen passed us, walking, -and we followed down Baker Street and along--" - -"I know," said Holmes. - -"Until we got three-quarters down Regent Street. Then my gentleman -threw up the trap, and he cried that I should drive right away -to Waterloo Station as hard as I could go. I whipped up the mare -and we were there under the ten minutes. Then he paid up his two -guineas, like a good one, and away he went into the station. -Only just as he was leaving he turned round and he said: 'It -might interest you to know that you have been driving Mr. Sherlock -Holmes.' That's how I come to know the name." - -"I see. And you saw no more of him?" - -"Not after he went into the station." - -"And how would you describe Mr. Sherlock Holmes?" - -The cabman scratched his head. "Well, he wasn't altogether such -an easy gentleman to describe. I'd put him at forty years of age, -and he was of a middle height, two or three inches shorter than -you, sir. He was dressed like a toff, and he had a black beard, -cut square at the end, and a pale face. I don't know as I could -say more than that." - -"Colour of his eyes?" - -"No, I can't say that." - -"Nothing more that you can remember?" - -"No, sir; nothing." - -"Well, then, here is your half-sovereign. There's another one -waiting for you if you can bring any more information. Good-night!" - -"Good-night, sir, and thank you!" - -John Clayton departed chuckling, and Holmes turned to me with a -shrug of his shoulders and a rueful smile. - -"Snap goes our third thread, and we end where we began," said he. -"The cunning rascal! He knew our number, knew that Sir Henry -Baskerville had consulted me, spotted who I was in Regent Street, -conjectured that I had got the number of the cab and would lay -my hands on the driver, and so sent back this audacious message. -I tell you, Watson, this time we have got a foeman who is worthy -of our steel. I've been checkmated in London. I can only wish -you better luck in Devonshire. But I'm not easy in my mind about -it." - -"About what?" - -"About sending you. It's an ugly business, Watson, an ugly -dangerous business, and the more I see of it the less I like it. -Yes my dear fellow, you may laugh, but I give you my word that -I shall be very glad to have you back safe and sound in Baker -Street once more." - - - - -Chapter 6 -Baskerville Hall - - - -Sir Henry Baskerville and Dr. Mortimer were ready upon the appointed -day, and we started as arranged for Devonshire. Mr. Sherlock Holmes -drove with me to the station and gave me his last parting injunctions -and advice. - -"I will not bias your mind by suggesting theories or suspicions, -Watson," said he; "I wish you simply to report facts in the fullest -possible manner to me, and you can leave me to do the theorizing." - -"What sort of facts?" I asked. - -"Anything which may seem to have a bearing however indirect upon -the case, and especially the relations between young Baskerville -and his neighbours or any fresh particulars concerning the death -of Sir Charles. I have made some inquiries myself in the last -few days, but the results have, I fear, been negative. One thing -only appears to be certain, and that is that Mr. James Desmond, -who is the next heir, is an elderly gentleman of a very amiable -disposition, so that this persecution does not arise from him. -I really think that we may eliminate him entirely from our -calculations. There remain the people who will actually surround -Sir Henry Baskerville upon the moor." - -"Would it not be well in the first place to get rid of this -Barrymore couple?" - -"By no means. You could not make a greater mistake. If they are -innocent it would be a cruel injustice, and if they are guilty -we should be giving up all chance of bringing it home to them. -No, no, we will preserve them upon our list of suspects. Then -there is a groom at the Hall, if I remember right. There are -two moorland farmers. There is our friend Dr. Mortimer, whom I -believe to be entirely honest, and there is his wife, of whom we -know nothing. There is this naturalist, Stapleton, and there is -his sister, who is said to be a young lady of attractions. There -is Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, who is also an unknown factor, -and there are one or two other neighbours. These are the folk -who must be your very special study." - -"I will do my best." - -"You have arms, I suppose?" - -"Yes, I thought it as well to take them." - -"Most certainly. Keep your revolver near you night and day, and -never relax your precautions." - -Our friends had already secured a first-class carriage and were -waiting for us upon the platform. - -"No, we have no news of any kind," said Dr. Mortimer in answer -to my friend's questions. "I can swear to one thing, and that -is that we have not been shadowed during the last two days. We -have never gone out without keeping a sharp watch, and no one -could have escaped our notice." - -"You have always kept together, I presume?" - -"Except yesterday afternoon. I usually give up one day to pure -amusement when I come to town, so I spent it at the Museum of the -College of Surgeons." - -"And I went to look at the folk in the park," said Baskerville. - -"But we had no trouble of any kind." - -"It was imprudent, all the same," said Holmes, shaking his head -and looking very grave. "I beg, Sir Henry, that you will not go -about alone. Some great misfortune will befall you if you do. -Did you get your other boot?" - -"No, sir, it is gone forever." - -"Indeed. That is very interesting. Well, good-bye," he added -as the train began to glide down the platform. "Bear in mind, -Sir Henry, one of the phrases in that queer old legend which Dr. -Mortimer has read to us and avoid the moor in those hours of -darkness when the powers of evil are exalted." - -I looked back at the platform when we had left it far behind and -saw the tall, austere figure of Holmes standing motionless and -gazing after us. - -The journey was a swift and pleasant one, and I spent it in -making the more intimate acquaintance of my two companions and -in playing with Dr. Mortimer's spaniel. In a very few hours the -brown earth had become ruddy, the brick had changed to granite, -and red cows grazed in well-hedged fields where the lush grasses -and more luxuriant vegetation spoke of a richer, if a damper, -climate. Young Baskerville stared eagerly out of the window and -cried aloud with delight as he recognized the familiar features -of the Devon scenery. - -"I've been over a good part of the world since I left it, Dr. -Watson," said he; "but I have never seen a place to compare with -it." - -"l never saw a Devonshire man who did not swear by his county," -I remarked. - -"It depends upon the breed of men quite as much as on the county," -said Dr. Mortimer. "A glance at our friend here reveals the -rounded head of the Celt, which carries inside it the Celtic -enthusiasm and power of attachment. Poor Sir Charles's head was of -a very rare type, half Gaelic, half Ivernian in its characteristics. -But you were very young when you last saw Baskerville Hall, were -you not?" - -"I was a boy in my teens at the time of my father's death and had -never seen the Hall, for he lived in a little cottage on the South -Coast. Thence I went straight to a friend in America. I tell -you it is all as new to me as it is to Dr. Watson, and I'm as -keen as possible to see the moor." - -"Are you? Then your wish is easily granted, for there is your -first sight of the moor," said Dr. Mortimer, pointing out of the -carriage window. - -Over the green squares of the fields and the low curve of a wood -there rose in the distance a gray, melancholy hill, with a strange -jagged summit, dim and vague in the distance, like some fantastic -landscape in a dream. Baskerville sat for a long time his eyes -fixed upon it, and I read upon his eager face how much it meant -to him, this first sight of that strange spot where the men of -his blood had held sway so long and left their mark so deep. -There he sat, with his tweed suit and his American accent, in the -corner of a prosaic railway-carriage, and yet as I looked at his -dark and expressive face I felt more than ever how true a descendant -he was of that long line of high-blooded, fiery, and masterful -men. There were pride, valour, and strength in his thick brows, -his sensitive nostrils, and his large hazel eyes. If on that -forbidding moor a difficult and dangerous quest should lie before -us, this was at least a comrade for whom one might venture to take -a risk with the certainty that he would bravely share it. - -The train pulled up at a small wayside station and we all -descended. Outside, beyond the low, white fence, a wagonette -with a pair of cobs was waiting. Our coming was evidently a great -event, for station-master and porters clustered round us to carry -out our luggage. It was a sweet, simple country spot, but I was -surprised to observe that by the gate there stood two soldierly -men in dark uniforms who leaned upon their short rifles and glanced -keenly at us as we passed. The coachman, a hard-faced, gnarled -little fellow, saluted Sir Henry Baskerville, and in a few minutes -we were flying swiftly down the broad, white road. Rolling pasture -lands curved upward on either side of us, and old gabled houses -peeped out from amid the thick green foliage, but behind the -peaceful and sunlit countryside there rose ever, dark against the -evening sky, the long, gloomy curve of the moor, broken by the -jagged and sinister hills. - -The wagonette swung round into a side road, and we curved upward -through deep lanes worn by centuries of wheels, high banks on -either side, heavy with dripping moss and fleshy hart's-tongue -ferns. Bronzing bracken and mottled bramble gleamed in the light -of the sinking sun. Still steadily rising, we passed over a -narrow granite bridge and skirted a noisy stream which gushed -swiftly down, foaming and roaring amid the gray boulders. Both -road and stream wound up through a valley dense with scrub oak -and fir. At every turn Baskerville gave an exclamation of delight, -looking eagerly about him and asking countless questions. To his -eyes all seemed beautiful, but to me a tinge of melancholy lay -upon the countryside, which bore so clearly the mark of the waning -year. Yellow leaves carpeted the lanes and fluttered down upon -us as we passed. The rattle of our wheels died away as we drove -through drifts of rotting vegetation-sad gifts, as it seemed to -me, for Nature to throw before the carriage of the returning heir -of the Baskervilles. - -"Halloa!" cried Dr. Mortimer, "what is this?" - -A steep curve of heath-clad land, an outlying spur of the moor, -lay in front of us. On the summit, hard and clear like an -equestrian statue upon its pedestal, was a mounted soldier, dark -and stern, his rifle poised ready over his forearm. He was -watching the road along which we travelled. - -"What is this, Perkins?" asked Dr. Mortimer. - -Our driver half turned in his seat. "There's a convict escaped -from Princetown, sir. He's been out three days now, and the -warders watch every road and every station, but they've had no -sight of him yet. The farmers about here don't like it, sir, -and that's a fact." - -"Well, I understand that they get five pounds if they can give -information." - -"Yes, sir, but the chance of five pounds is but a poor thing -compared to the chance of having your throat cut. You see, it -isn't like any ordinary convict. This is a man that would stick -at nothing." - -"Who is he, then?" - -"It is Selden, the Notting Hill murderer." - -I remembered the case well, for it was one in which Holmes had -taken an interest on account of the peculiar ferocity of the crime -and the wanton brutality which had marked all the actions of the -assassin. The commutation of his death sentence had been due to -some doubts as to his complete sanity, so atrocious was his conduct. -Our wagonette had topped a rise and in front of us rose the huge -expanse of the moor, mottled with gnarled and craggy cairns and -tors. A cold wind swept down from it and set us shivering. -Somewhere there, on that desolate plain, was lurking this fiendish -man, hiding in a burrow like a wild beast, his heart full of -malignancy against the whole race which had cast him out. It -needed but this to complete the grim suggestiveness of the barren -waste, the chilling wind, and the darkling sky. Even Baskerville -fell silent and pulled his overcoat more closely around him. - -We had left the fertile country behind and beneath us. We looked -back on it now, the slanting rays of a low sun turning the streams -to threads of gold and glowing on the red earth new turned by the -plough and the broad tangle of the woodlands. The road in front -of us grew bleaker and wilder over huge russet and olive slopes, -sprinkled with giant boulders. Now and then we passed a moorland -cottage, walled and roofed with stone, with no creeper to break -its harsh outline. Suddenly we looked down into a cuplike -depression, patched with stunted oaks and furs which had been -twisted and bent by the fury of years of storm. Two high, narrow -towers rose over the trees. The driver pointed with his whip. - -"Baskerville Hall," said he. - -Its master had risen and was staring with flushed cheeks and -shining eyes. A few minutes later we had reached the lodge-gates, -a maze of fantastic tracery in wrought iron, with weather-bitten -pillars on either side, blotched with lichens, and surmounted by -the boars' heads of the Baskervilles. The lodge was a ruin of -black granite and bared ribs of rafters, but facing it was a -new building, half constructed, the first fruit of Sir Charles's -South African gold. - -Through the gateway we passed into the avenue, where the wheels -were again hushed amid the leaves, and the old trees shot their -branches in a sombre tunnel over our heads. Baskerville shuddered -as he looked up the long, dark drive to where the house glimmered -like a ghost at the farther end. - -"Was it here?" he asked in a low voice. - -"No, no, the yew alley is on the other side." - -The young heir glanced round with a gloomy face. - -"It's no wonder my uncle felt as if trouble were coming on him in -such a place as this," said he. "It's enough to scare any man. -I'll have a row of electric lamps up here inside of six months, -and you won't know it again, with a thousand candle-power Swan -and Edison right here in front of the hall door." - -The avenue opened into a broad expanse of turf, and the house -lay before us. In the fading light I could see that the centre -was a heavy block of building from which a porch projected. -The whole front was draped in ivy, with a patch clipped bare -here and there where a window or a coat of arms broke through -the dark veil. From this central block rose the twin towers, -ancient, crenellated, and pierced with many loopholes. To right -and left of the turrets were more modern wings of black granite. -A dull light shone through heavy mullioned windows, and from the -high chimneys which rose from the steep, high-angled roof there -sprang a single black column of smoke. - -"Welcome, Sir Henry! Welcome to Baskerville Hall!" - -A tall man had stepped from the shadow of the porch to open the -door of the wagonette. The figure of a woman was silhouetted -against the yellow light of the hall. She came out and helped -the man to hand down our bags. - -"You don't mind my driving straight home, Sir Henry?" said Dr. -Mortimer. "My wife is expecting me." - -"Surely you will stay and have some dinner?" - -"No, I must go. I shall probably find some work awaiting me. -I would stay to show you over the house, but Barrymore will be -a better guide than I. Good-bye, and never hesitate night or -day to send for me if I can be of service." - -The wheels died away down the drive while Sir Henry and I turned -into the hall, and the door clanged heavily behind us. It was a -fine apartment in which we found ourselves, large, lofty, and -heavily raftered with huge baulks of age-blackened oak. In the -great old-fashioned fireplace behind the high iron dogs a log-fire -crackled and snapped. Sir Henry and I held out our hands to it, -for we were numb from our long drive. Then we gazed round us at -the high, thin window of old stained glass, the oak panelling, -the stags' heads, the coats of arms upon the walls, all dim and -sombre in the subdued light of the central lamp. - -"It's just as I imagined it," said Sir Henry. "Is it not the very -picture of an old family home? To think that this should be the -same hall in which for five hundred years my people have lived. -It strikes me solemn to think of it." - -I saw his dark face lit up with a boyish enthusiasm as he gazed -about him. The light beat upon him where he stood, but long -shadows trailed down the walls and hung like a black canopy -above him. Barrymore had returned from taking our luggage -to our rooms. He stood in front of us now with the subdued -manner of a well-trained servant. He was a remarkable-looking -man, tall, handsome, with a square black beard and pale, -distinguished features. - -"Would you wish dinner to be served at once, sir?" - -"Is it ready?" - -"In a very few minutes, sir. You will find hot water in your -rooms. My wife and I will be happy, Sir Henry, to stay with you -until you have made your fresh arrangements, but you will -understand that under the new conditions this house will require -a considerable staff." - -"What new conditions?" - -"I only meant, sir, that Sir Charles led a very retired life, -and we were able to look after his wants. You would, naturally, -wish to have more company, and so you will need changes in your -household." - -"Do you mean that your wife and you wish to leave?" - -"Only when it is quite convenient to you, sir." - -"But your family have been with us for several generations, have -they not? I should be sorry to begin my life here by breaking -an old family connection." - -I seemed to discern some signs of emotion upon the butler's white -face. - -"I feel that also, sir, and so does my wife. But to tell the -truth, sir, we were both very much attached to Sir Charles and -his death gave us a shock and made these surroundings very painful -to us. I fear that we shall never again be easy in our minds at -Baskerville Hall." - -"But what do you intend to do?" - -"I have no doubt, sir, that we shall succeed in establishing -ourselves in some business. Sir Charles's generosity has given -us the means to do so. And now, sir, perhaps I had best show you -to your rooms." - -A square balustraded gallery ran round the top of the old hall, -approached by a double stair. From this central point two long -corridors extended the whole length of the building, from which -all the bedrooms opened. My own was in the same wing as -Baskerville's and almost next door to it. These rooms appeared -to be much more modern than the central part of the house, and -the bright paper and numerous candles did something to remove -the sombre impression which our arrival had left upon my mind. - -But the dining-room which opened out of the hall was a place of -shadow and gloom. It was a long chamber with a step separating -the dais where the family sat from the lower portion reserved for -their dependents. At one end a minstrel's gallery overlooked it. -Black beams shot across above our heads, with a smoke-darkened -ceiling beyond them. With rows of flaring torches to light it -up, and the colour and rude hilarity of an old-time banquet, it -might have softened; but now, when two black-clothed gentlemen -sat in the little circle of light thrown by a shaded lamp, one's -voice became hushed and one's spirit subdued. A dim line of -ancestors, in every variety of dress, from the Elizabethan knight -to the buck of the Regency, stared down upon us and daunted us -by their silent company. We talked little, and I for one was -glad when the meal was over and we were able to retire into the -modern billiard-room and smoke a cigarette. - -"My word, it isn't a very cheerful place," said Sir Henry. "I -suppose one can tone down to it, but I feel a bit out of the -picture at present. I don't wonder that my uncle got a little -jumpy if he lived all alone in such a house as this. However, -if it suits you, we will retire early to-night, and perhaps -things may seem more cheerful in the morning." - -I drew aside my curtains before I went to bed and looked out -from my window. It opened upon the grassy space which lay in -front of the hall door. Beyond, two copses of trees moaned and -swung in a rising wind. A half moon broke through the rifts of -racing clouds. In its cold light I saw beyond the trees a broken -fringe of rocks, and the long, low curve of the melancholy moor. -I closed the curtain, feeling that my last impression was in -keeping with the rest. - -And yet it was not quite the last. I found myself weary and yet -wakeful, tossing restlessly from side to side, seeking for the -sleep which would not come. Far away a chiming clock struck out -the quarters of the hours, but otherwise a deathly silence lay -upon the old house. And then suddenly, in the very dead of the -night, there came a sound to my ears, clear, resonant, and -unmistakable. It was the sob of a woman, the muffled, strangling -gasp of one who is torn by an uncontrollable sorrow. I sat up -in bed and listened intently. The noise could not have been far -away and was certainly in the house. For half an hour I waited -with every nerve on the alert, but there came no other sound save -the chiming clock and the rustle of the ivy on the wall. - - - - -Chapter 7 -The Stapletons of Merripit House - - - -The fresh beauty of the following morning did something to efface -from our minds the grim and gray impression which had been left -upon both of us by our first experience of Baskerville Hall. As -Sir Henry and I sat at breakfast the sunlight flooded in through -the high mullioned windows, throwing watery patches of colour from -the coats of arms which covered them. The dark panelling glowed -like bronze in the golden rays, and it was hard to realize that -this was indeed the chamber which had struck such a gloom into -our souls upon the evening before. - -"I guess it is ourselves and not the house that we have to blame!" -said the baronet. "We were tired with our journey and chilled -by our drive, so we took a gray view of the place. Now we are -fresh and well, so it is all cheerful once more." - -"And yet it was not entirely a question of imagination," I -answered. "Did you, for example, happen to hear someone, a woman -I think, sobbing in the night?" -"That is curious, for I did when I was half asleep fancy that I -heard something of the sort. I waited quite a time, but there -was no more of it, so I concluded that it was all a dream." - -"I heard it distinctly, and I am sure that it was really the sob -of a woman." - -"We must ask about this right away." He rang the bell and asked -Barrymore whether he could account for our experience. It seemed -to me that the pallid features of the butler turned a shade paler -still as he listened to his master's question. - -"There are only two women in the house, Sir Henry," he answered. -"One is the scullery-maid, who sleeps in the other wing. The other -is my wife, and I can answer for it that the sound could not have -come from her." - -And yet he lied as he said it, for it chanced that after breakfast -I met Mrs. Barrymore in the long corridor with the sun full upon -her face. She was a large, impassive, heavy-featured woman with -a stern set expression of mouth. But her telltale eyes were red -and glanced at me from between swollen lids. It was she, then, -who wept in the night, and if she did so her husband must know it. -Yet he had taken the obvious risk of discovery in declaring that -it was not so. Why had he done this? And why did she weep so -bitterly? Already round this pale-faced, handsome, black-bearded -man there was gathering an atmosphere of mystery and of gloom. -It was he who had been the first to discover the body of Sir Charles, -and we had only his word for all the circumstances which led up -to the old man's death. Was it possible that it was Barrymore, -after all, whom we had seen in the cab in Regent Street? The -beard might well have been the same. The cabman had described -a somewhat shorter man, but such an impression might easily have -been erroneous. How could I settle the point forever? Obviously -the first thing to do was to see the Grimpen postmaster and find -whether the test telegram had really been placed in Barrymore's -own hands. Be the answer what it might, I should at least have -something to report to Sherlock Holmes. - -Sir Henry had numerous papers to examine after breakfast, so that -the time was propitious for my excursion. It was a pleasant walk -of four miles along the edge of the moor, leading me at last to -a small gray hamlet, in which two larger buildings, which proved -to be the inn and the house of Dr. Mortimer, stood high above the -rest. The postmaster, who was also the village grocer, had a -clear recollection of the telegram. - -"Certainly, sir," said he, "I had the telegram delivered to Mr. -Barrymore exactly as directed." - -"Who delivered it?" - -"My boy here. James, you delivered that telegram to Mr. Barrymore -at the Hall last week, did you not?" - -"Yes, father, I delivered it." - -"Into his own hands?" I asked. - -"Well, he was up in the loft at the time, so that I could not -put it into his own hands, but I gave it into Mrs. Barrymore's -hands, and she promised to deliver it at once." - -"Did you see Mr. Barrymore?" - -"No, sir; I tell you he was in the loft." - -"If you didn't see him, how do you know he was in the loft?" - -"Well, surely his own wife ought to know where he is," said the -postmaster testily. "Didn't he get the telegram? If there is -any mistake it is for Mr. Barrymore himself to complain." - -It seemed hopeless to pursue the inquiry any farther, but it was -clear that in spite of Holmes's ruse we had no proof that Barrymore -had not been in London all the time. Suppose that it were so-- -suppose that the same man had been the last who had seen Sir -Charles alive, and the first to dog the new heir when he returned -to England. What then? Was he the agent of others or had he -some sinister design of his own? What interest could he have in -persecuting the Baskerville family? I thought of the strange -warning clipped out of the leading article of the Times. Was that -his work or was it possibly the doing of someone who was bent upon -counteracting his schemes? The only conceivable motive was that -which had been suggested by Sir Henry, that if the family could -be scared away a comfortable and permanent home would be secured -for the Barrymores. But surely such an explanation as that would -be quite inadequate to account for the deep and subtle scheming -which seemed to be weaving an invisible net round the young -baronet. Holmes himself had said that no more complex case had -come to him in all the long series of his sensational -investigations. I prayed, as I walked back along the gray, lonely -road, that my friend might soon be freed from his preoccupations -and able to come down to take this heavy burden of responsibility -from my shoulders. - -Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of running -feet behind me and by a voice which called me by name. I turned, -expecting to see Dr. Mortimer, but to my surprise it was a stranger -who was pursuing me. He was a small, slim, clean-shaven, prim- -faced man, flaxen-haired and leanjawed, between thirty and forty -years of age, dressed in a gray suit and wearing a straw hat. A -tin box for botanical specimens hung over his shoulder and he -carried a green butterfly-net in one of his hands. - -"You will, I am sure, excuse my presumption, Dr. Watson," said -he as he came panting up to where I stood. "Here on the moor we -are homely folk and do not wait for formal introductions. You -may possibly have heard my name from our mutual friend, Mortimer. -I am Stapleton, of Merripit House." - -"Your net and box would have told me as much," said I, "for I knew -that Mr. Stapleton was a naturalist. But how did you know me?" - -"I have been calling on Mortimer, and he pointed you out to me -from the window of his surgery as you passed. As our road lay -the same way I thought that I would overtake you and introduce -myself. I trust that Sir Henry is none the worse for his journey?" - -"He is very well, thank you." - -"We were all rather afraid that after the sad death of Sir Charles -the new baronet might refuse to live here. It is asking much of -a wealthy man to come down and bury himself in a place of this -kind, but I need not tell you that it means a very great deal to -the countryside. Sir Henry has, I suppose, no superstitious -fears in the matter?" - -"I do not think that it is likely." - -"Of course you know the legend of the fiend dog which haunts the -family?" - -"I have heard it." - -"It is extraordinary how credulous the peasants are about here! -Any number of them are ready to swear that they have seen such -a creature upon the moor." He spoke with a smile, but I seemed -to read in his eyes that he took the matter more seriously. "The -story took a great hold upon the imagination of Sir Charles, and -I have no doubt that it led to his tragic end." - -"But how?" - -"His nerves were so worked up that the appearance of any dog might -have had a fatal effect upon his diseased heart. I fancy that -he really did see something of the kind upon that last night in -the yew alley. I feared that some disaster might occur, for I -was very fond of the old man, and I knew that his heart was weak." - -"How did you know that?" - -"My friend Mortimer told me." - -"You think, then, that some dog pursued Sir Charles, and that he -died of fright in consequence?" - -"Have you any better explanation?" - -"I have not come to any conclusion." - -"Has Mr. Sherlock Holmes?" - -The words took away my breath for an instant but a glance at the -placid face and steadfast eyes of my companion showed that no -surprise was intended. - -"It is useless for us to pretend that we do not know you, Dr. -Watson," said he. "The records of your detective have reached -us here, and you could not celebrate him without being known -yourself. When Mortimer told me your name he could not deny -your identity. If you are here, then it follows that Mr. Sherlock -Holmes is interesting himself in the matter, and I am naturally -curious to know what view he may take." - -"I am afraid that I cannot answer that question." - -"May I ask if he is going to honour us with a visit himself?" - -"He cannot leave town at present. He has other cases which engage -his attention." - -"What a pity! He might throw some light on that which is so dark -to us. But as to your own researches, if there is any possible -way in which I can be of service to you I trust that you will -command me. If I had any indication of the nature of your -suspicions or how you propose to investigate the case, I might -perhaps even now give you some aid or advice." - -"I assure you that I am simply here upon a visit to my friend, -Sir Henry, and that I need no help of any kind." - -"Excellent!" said Stapleton. "You are perfectly right to be -wary and discreet. I am justly reproved for what I feel was an -unjustifiable intrusion, and I promise you that I will not mention -the matter again." - -We had come to a point where a narrow grassy path struck off from -the road and wound away across the moor. A steep, boulder-sprinkled -hill lay upon the right which had in bygone days been cut into a -granite quarry. The face which was turned towards us formed a -dark cliff, with ferns and brambles growing in its niches. From -over a distant rise there floated a gray plume of smoke. - -"A moderate walk along this moor-path brings us to Merripit House," -said he. "Perhaps you will spare an hour that I may have the -pleasure of introducing you to my sister." - -My first thought was that I should be by Sir Henry's side. But -then I remembered the pile of papers and bills with which his -study table was littered. It was certain that I could not help -with those. And Holmes had expressly said that I should study -the neighbours upon the moor. I accepted Stapleton's invitation, -and we turned together down the path. - -"It is a wonderful place, the moor," said he, looking round over -the undulating downs, long green rollers, with crests of jagged -granite foaming up into fantastic surges. "You never tire of the -moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets which it contains. -It is so vast, and so barren, and so mysterious." - -"You know it well, then?" -"I have only been here two years. The residents would call me -a newcomer. We came shortly after Sir Charles settled. But my -tastes led me to explore every part of the country round, and I -should think that there are few men who know it better than I do." - -"Is it hard to know?" - -"Very hard. You see, for example, this great plain to the north -here with the queer hills breaking out of it. Do you observe -anything remarkable about that?" - -"It would be a rare place for a gallop." - -"You would naturally think so and the thought has cost several -their lives before now. You notice those bright green spots -scattered thickly over it?" - -"Yes, they seem more fertile than the rest." - -Stapleton laughed. "That is the great Grimpen Mire," said he. -"A false step yonder means death to man or beast. Only yesterday -I saw one of the moor ponies wander into it. He never came out. -I saw his head for quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, -but it sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it is a danger -to cross it, but after these autumn rains it is an awful place. -And yet I can find my way to the very heart of it and return -alive. By George, there is another of those miserable ponies!" - -Something brown was rolling and tossing among the green sedges. -Then a long, agonized, writhing neck shot upward and a dreadful -cry echoed over the moor. It turned me cold with horror, but my -companion's nerves seemed to be stronger than mine. - -"It's gone!" said he. "The mire has him. Two in two days, and -many more, perhaps, for they get in the way of going there in the -dry weather and never know the difference until the mire has them -in its clutches. It's a bad place, the great Grimpen Mire." - -"And you say you can penetrate it?" - -"Yes, there are one or two paths which a very active man can -take. I have found them out." - -"But why should you wish to go into so horrible a place?" - -"Well, you see the hills beyond? They are really islands cut off -on all sides by the impassable mire, which has crawled round them -in the course of years. That is where the rare plants and the -butterflies are, if you have the wit to reach them." - -"I shall try my luck some day." - -He looked at me with a surprised face. "For God's sake put such -an idea out of your mind," said he. "Your blood would be upon -my head. I assure you that there would not be the least chance -of your coming back alive. It is only by remembering certain -complex landmarks that I am able to do it." - -"Halloa!" I cried. "What is that?" - -A long, low moan, indescribably sad, swept over the moor. It -filled the whole air, and yet it was impossible to say whence it -came. From a dull murmur it swelled into a deep roar, and then -sank back into a melancholy, throbbing murmur once again. Stapleton -looked at me with a curious expression in his face. - -"Queer place, the moor!" said he. - -"But what is it?" - -"The peasants say it is the Hound of the Baskervilles calling for -its prey. I've heard it once or twice before, but never quite -so loud." - -I looked round, with a chill of fear in my heart, at the huge -swelling plain, mottled with the green patches of rushes. Nothing -stirred over the vast expanse save a pair of ravens, which croaked -loudly from a tor behind us. - -"You are an educated man. You don't believe such nonsense as -that?" said I. "What do you think is the cause of so strange a -sound?" - -"Bogs make queer noises sometimes. It's the mud settling, or -the water rising, or something." - -"No, no, that was a living voice." - -"Well, perhaps it was. Did you ever hear a bittern booming?" - -"No, I never did." - -"It's a very rare bird--practically extinct--in England now, -but all things are possible upon the moor. Yes, I should not be -surprised to learn that what we have heard is the cry of the last -of the bitterns." - -"It's the weirdest, strangest thing that ever I heard in my life." - -"Yes, it's rather an uncanny place altogether. Look at the hillside -yonder. What do you make of those?" - -The whole steep slope was covered with gray circular rings of -stone, a score of them at least. - -"What are they? Sheep-pens?" - -"No, they are the homes of our worthy ancestors. Prehistoric man -lived thickly on the moor, and as no one in particular has lived -there since, we find all his little arrangements exactly as he -left them. These are his wigwams with the roofs off. You can -even see his hearth and his couch if you have the curiosity to -go inside. - -"But it is quite a town. When was it inhabited?" - -"Neolithic man--no date." - -"What did he do?" - -"He grazed his cattle on these slopes, and he learned to dig for -tin when the bronze sword began to supersede the stone axe. Look -at the great trench in the opposite hill. That is his mark. Yes, -you will find some very singular points about the moor, Dr. Watson. -Oh, excuse me an instant! It is surely Cyclopides." - -A small fly or moth had fluttered across our path, and in an -instant Stapleton was rushing with extraordinary energy and speed -in pursuit of it. To my dismay the creature flew straight for -the great mire, and my acquaintance never paused for an instant, -bounding from tuft to tuft behind it, his green net waving in the -air. His gray clothes and jerky, zigzag, irregular progress made -him not unlike some huge moth himself. I was standing watching -his pursuit with a mixture of admiration for his extraordinary -activity and fear lest he should lose his footing in the treacherous -mire when I heard the sound of steps and, turning round, found -a woman near me upon the path. She had come from the direction in -which the plume of smoke indicated the position of Merripit House, -but the dip of the moor had hid her until she was quite close. - -I could not doubt that this was the Miss Stapleton of whom I had -been told, since ladies of any sort must be few upon the moor, -and I remembered that I had heard someone describe her as being -a beauty. The woman who approached me was certainly that, and -of a most uncommon type. There could not have been a greater -contrast between brother and sister, for Stapleton was neutral -tinted, with light hair and gray eyes, while she was darker than -any brunette whom I have seen in England-slim, elegant, and tall. -She had a proud, finely cut face, so regular that it might have -seemed impassive were it not for the sensitive mouth and the -beautiful dark, eager eyes. With her perfect figure and elegant -dress she was, indeed, a strange apparition upon a lonely moorland -path. Her eyes were on her brother as I turned, and then she -quickened her pace towards me. I had raised my hat and was about -to make some explanatory remark when her own words turned all my -thoughts into a new channel. - -"Go back!" she said. "Go straight back to London, instantly." - -I could only stare at her in stupid surprise. Her eyes blazed -at me, and she tapped the ground impatiently with her foot. - -"Why should I go back?" I asked. - -"I cannot explain." She spoke in a low, eager voice, with a -curious lisp in her utterance. "But for God's sake do what I -ask you. Go back and never set foot upon the moor again." - -"But I have only just come." - -"Man, man!" she cried. "Can you not tell when a warning is for -your own good? Go back to London! Start to-night! Get away -from this place at all costs! Hush, my brother is coming! Not -a word of what I have said. Would you mind getting that orchid -for me among the mare's-tails yonder? We are very rich in orchids -on the moor, though, of course, you are rather late to see the -beauties of the place." - -Stapleton had abandoned the chase and came back to us breathing -hard and flushed with his exertions. - -"Halloa, Beryl!" said he, and it seemed to me that the tone of -his greeting was not altogether a cordial one. - -"Well, Jack, you are very hot." - -"Yes, I was chasing a Cyclopides. He is very rare and seldom -found in the late autumn. What a pity that I should have missed -him!" He spoke unconcernedly, but his small light eyes glanced -incessantly from the girl to me. - -"You have introduced yourselves, I can see." - -"Yes. I was telling Sir Henry that it was rather late for him -to see the true beauties of the moor." - -"Why, who do you think this is?" - -"I imagine that it must be Sir Henry Baskerville." - -"No, no," said I. "Only a humble commoner, but his friend. My -name is Dr. Watson." - -A flush of vexation passed over her expressive face. "We have -been talking at cross purposes," said she. - -"Why, you had not very much time for talk," her brother remarked -with the same questioning eyes. - -"I talked as if Dr. Watson were a resident instead of being merely -a visitor," said she. "It cannot much matter to him whether it -is early or late for the orchids. But you will come on, will you -not, and see Merripit House?" - -A short walk brought us to it, a bleak moorland house, once the -farm of some grazier in the old prosperous days, but now put into -repair and turned into a modern dwelling. An orchard surrounded -it, but the trees, as is usual upon the moor, were stunted and -nipped, and the effect of the whole place was mean and melancholy. -We were admitted by a strange, wizened, rusty-coated old manservant, -who seemed in keeping with the house. Inside, however, there were -large rooms furnished with an elegance in which I seemed to -recognize the taste of the lady. As I looked from their windows -at the interminable granite-flecked moor rolling unbroken to the -farthest horizon I could not but marvel at what could have brought -this highly educated man and this beautiful woman to live in such -a place. - -"Queer spot to choose, is it not?" said he as if in answer to my -thought. "And yet we manage to make ourselves fairly happy, do -we not, Beryl?" - -"Quite happy," said she, but there was no ring of conviction in -her words. - -"I had a school," said Stapleton. "It was in the north country. -The work to a man of my temperament was mechanical and -uninteresting, but the privilege of living with youth, of helping -to mould those young minds, and of impressing them with one's own -character and ideals was very dear to me. However, the fates were -against us. A serious epidemic broke out in the school and three -of the boys died. It never recovered from the blow, and much of -my capital was irretrievably swallowed up. And yet, if it were -not for the loss of the charming companionship of the boys, I -could rejoice over my own misfortune, for, with my strong tastes -for botany and zoology, I find an unlimited field of work here, -and my sister is as devoted to Nature as I am. All this, Dr. -Watson, has been brought upon your head by your expression as -you surveyed the moor out of our window." - -"It certainly did cross my mind that it might be a little dull-- -less for you, perhaps, than for your sister." - -"No, no, I am never dull," said she quickly. - -"We have books, we have our studies, and we have interesting -neighbours. Dr. Mortimer is a most learned man in his own line. -Poor Sir Charles was also an admirable companion. We knew him -well and miss him more than I can tell. Do you think that I should -intrude if I were to call this afternoon and make the acquaintance -of Sir Henry?" - -"I am sure that he would be delighted." - -"Then perhaps you would mention that I propose to do so. We may -in our humble way do something to make things more easy for him -until he becomes accustomed to his new surroundings. Will you -come upstairs, Dr. Watson, and inspect my collection of Lepidoptera? -I think it is the most complete one in the south-west of England. -By the time that you have looked through them lunch will be almost -ready." - -But I was eager to get back to my charge. The melancholy of the -moor, the death of the unfortunate pony, the weird sound which -had been associated with the grim legend of the Baskervilles, all -these things tinged my thoughts with sadness. Then on the top -of these more or less vague impressions there had come the definite -and distinct warning of Miss Stapleton, delivered with such intense -earnestness that I could not doubt that some grave and deep reason -lay behind it. I resisted all pressure to stay for lunch, and I -set off at once upon my return journey, taking the grass-grown -path by which we had come. - -It seems, however, that there must have been some short cut for -those who knew it, for before I had reached the road I was -astounded to see Miss Stapleton sitting upon a rock by the side -of the track. Her face was beautifully flushed with her exertions -and she held her hand to her side. - "I have run all the way in order to cut you off, Dr. Watson," said -she. "I had not even time to put on my hat. I must not stop, or -my brother may miss me. I wanted to say to you how sorry I am -about the stupid mistake I made in thinking that you were Sir -Henry. Please forget the words I said, which have no application -whatever to you." - -"But I can't forget them, Miss Stapleton," said I. "I am Sir -Henry's friend, and his welfare is a very close concern of mine. -Tell me why it was that you were so eager that Sir Henry should -return to London." - -"A woman's whim, Dr. Watson. When you know me better you will -understand that I cannot always give reasons for what I say or do." - -"No, no. I remember the thrill in your voice. I remember the -look in your eyes. Please, please, be frank with me, Miss -Stapleton, for ever since I have been here I have been conscious -of shadows all round me. Life has become like that great Grimpen -Mire, with little green patches everywhere into which one may -sink and with no guide to point the track. Tell me then what it -was that you meant, and I will promise to convey your warning to -Sir Henry." - -An expression of irresolution passed for an instant over her face, -but her eyes had hardened again when she answered me. - -"You make too much of it, Dr. Watson," said she. "My brother and -I were very much shocked by the death of Sir Charles. We knew -him very intimately, for his favourite walk was over the moor to -our house. He was deeply impressed with the curse which hung over -the family, and when this tragedy came I naturally felt that there -must be some grounds for the fears which he had expressed. I was -distressed therefore when another member of the family came down -to live here, and I felt that he should be warned of the danger -which he will run. That was all which I intended to convey. - -"But what is the danger?" - -"You know the story of the hound?" - -"I do not believe in such nonsense." - -"But I do. If you have any influence with Sir Henry, take him -away from a place which has always been fatal to his family. The -world is wide. Why should he wish to live at the place of danger?" - -"Because it is the place of danger. That is Sir Henry's nature. -I fear that unless you can give me some more definite information -than this it would be impossible to get him to move." - -"I cannot say anything definite, for I do not know anything -definite." - -"I would ask you one more question, Miss Stapleton. If you meant -no more than this when you first spoke to me, why should you not -wish your brother to overhear what you said? There is nothing -to which he, or anyone else, could object." - -"My brother is very anxious to have the Hall inhabited, for he -thinks it is for the good of the poor folk upon the moor. He -would be very angry if he knew that I have said anything which -might induce Sir Henry to go away. But I have done my duty now -and I will say no more. I must go back, or he will miss me and -suspect that I have seen you. Good-bye!" She turned and had -disappeared in a few minutes among the scattered boulders, while -I, with my soul full of vague fears, pursued my way to Baskerville -Hall. - - - - -Chapter 8 -First Report of Dr. Watson - - - -From this point onward I will follow the course of events by -transcribing my own letters to Mr. Sherlock Holmes which lie -before me on the table. One page is missing, but otherwise they -are exactly as written and show my feelings and suspicions of -the moment more accurately than my memory, clear as it is upon -these tragic events, can possibly do. - - -Baskerville Hall, October 13th. -My dear Holmes: -My previous letters and telegrams have kept you pretty well up -to date as to all that has occurred in this most God-forsaken -corner of the world. The longer one stays here the more does -the spirit of the moor sink into one's soul, its vastness, and -also its grim charm. When you are once out upon its bosom you -have left all traces of modern England behind you, but, on the -other hand, you are conscious everywhere of the homes and the -work of the prehistoric people. On all sides of you as you walk -are the houses of these forgotten folk, with their graves and the -huge monoliths which are supposed to have marked their temples. -As you look at their gray stone huts against the scarred hillsides -you leave your own age behind you, and if you were to see a skin- -clad, hairy man crawl out from the low door fitting a flint-tipped -arrow on to the string of his bow, you would feel that his presence -there was more natural than your own. The strange thing is that -they should have lived so thickly on what must always have been -most unfruitful soil. I am no antiquarian, but I could imagine -that they were some unwarlike and harried race who were forced -to accept that which none other would occupy. - -All this, however, is foreign to the mission on which you sent -me and will probably be very uninteresting to your severely -practical mind. I can still remember your complete indifference -as to whether the sun moved round the earth or the earth round -the sun. Let me, therefore, return to the facts concerning Sir -Henry Baskerville. - -If you have not had any report within the last few days it is -because up to today there was nothing of importance to relate. -Then a very surprising circumstance occurred, which I shall tell -you in due course. But, first of all, I must keep you in touch -with some of the other factors in the situation. - -One of these, concerning which I have said little, is the escaped -convict upon the moor. There is strong reason now to believe -that he has got right away, which is a considerable relief to -the lonely householders of this district. A fortnight has passed -since his flight, during which he has not been seen and nothing -has been heard of him. It is surely inconceivable that he could -have held out upon the moor during all that time. Of course, so -far as his concealment goes there is no difficulty at all. Any -one of these stone huts would give him a hiding-place. But there -is nothing to eat unless he were to catch and slaughter one of -the moor sheep. We think, therefore, that he has gone, and the -outlying farmers sleep the better in consequence. - -We are four able-bodied men in this household, so that we could -take good care of ourselves, but I confess that I have had uneasy -moments when I have thought of the Stapletons. They live miles -from any help. There are one maid, an old manservant, the sister, -and the brother, the latter not a very strong man. They would -be helpless in the hands of a desperate fellow like this Notting -Hill criminal if he could once effect an entrance. Both Sir -Henry and I were concerned at their situation, and it was suggested -that Perkins the groom should go over to sleep there, but Stapleton -would not hear of it. - -The fact is that our friend, the baronet, begins to display a -considerable interest in our fair neighbour. It is not to be -wondered at, for time hangs heavily in this lonely spot to an -active man like him, and she is a very fascinating and beautiful -woman. There is something tropical and exotic about her which -forms a singular contrast to her cool and unemotional brother. -Yet he also gives the idea of hidden fires. He has certainly a -very marked influence over her, for I have seen her continually -glance at him as she talked as if seeking approbation for what -she said. I trust that he is kind to her. There is a dry glitter -in his eyes and a firm set of his thin lips, which goes with a -positive and possibly a harsh nature. You would find him an -interesting study. - -He came over to call upon Baskerville on that first day, and the -very next morning he took us both to show us the spot where the -legend of the wicked Hugo is supposed to have had its origin. -It was an excursion of some miles across the moor to a place which -is so dismal that it might have suggested the story. We found a -short valley between rugged tors which led to an open, grassy space -flecked over with the white cotton grass. In the middle of it -rose two great stones, worn and sharpened at the upper end until -they looked like the huge corroding fangs of some monstrous beast. -In every way it corresponded with the scene of the old tragedy. -Sir Henry was much interested and asked Stapleton more than once -whether he did really believe in the possibility of the interference -of the supernatural in the affairs of men. He spoke lightly, -but it was evident that he was very much in earnest. Stapleton -was guarded in his replies, but it was easy to see that he said -less than he might, and that he would not express his whole opinion -out of consideration for the feelings of the baronet. He told -us of similar cases, where families had suffered from some evil -influence, and he left us with the impression that he shared the -popular view upon the matter. - -On our way back we stayed for lunch at Merripit House, and it was -there that Sir Henry made the acquaintance of Miss Stapleton. From -the first moment that he saw her he appeared to be strongly -attracted by her, and I am much mistaken if the feeling was not -mutual. He referred to her again and again on our walk home, -and since then hardly a day has passed that we have not seen -something of the brother and sister. They dine here tonight, and -there is some talk of our going to them next week. One would -imagine that such a match would be very welcome to Stapleton, -and yet I have more than once caught a look of the strongest -disapprobation in his face when Sir Henry has been paying some -attention to his sister. He is much attached to her, no doubt, -and would lead a lonely life without her, but it would seem the -height of selfishness if he were to stand in the way of her making -so brilliant a marriage. Yet I am certain that he does not wish -their intimacy to ripen into love, and I have several times -observed that he has taken pains to prevent them from being tete- -a-tete. By the way, your instructions to me never to allow Sir -Henry to go out alone will become very much more onerous if a -love affair were to be added to our other difficulties. My -popularity would soon suffer if I were to carry out your orders -to the letter. - -The other day--Thursday, to be more exact--Dr. Mortimer lunched -with us. He has been excavating a barrow at Long Down and has -got a prehistoric skull which fills him with great joy. Never -was there such a single-minded enthusiast as he! The Stapletons -came in afterwards, and the good doctor took us all to the yew -alley at Sir Henry's request to show us exactly how everything -occurred upon that fatal night. It is a long, dismal walk, the -yew alley, between two high walls of clipped hedge, with a narrow -band of grass upon either side. At the far end is an old tumble- -down summer-house. Halfway down is the moor-gate, where the old -gentleman left his cigar-ash. It is a white wooden gate with a -latch. Beyond it lies the wide moor. I remembered your theory -of the affair and tried to picture all that had occurred. As -the old man stood there he saw something coming across the moor, -something which terrified him so that he lost his wits and ran -and ran until he died of sheer horror and exhaustion. There was -the long, gloomy tunnel down which he fled. And from what? A -sheep-dog of the moor? Or a spectral hound, black, silent, and -monstrous? Was there a human agency in the matter? Did the pale, -watchful Barrymore know more than he cared to say? It was all dim -and vague, but always there is the dark shadow of crime behind it. - -One other neighbour I have met since I wrote last. This is Mr. -Frankland, of Lafter Hall, who lives some four miles to the south -of us. He is an elderly man, red-faced, white-haired, and choleric. -His passion is for the British law, and he has spent a large -fortune in litigation. He fights for the mere pleasure of fighting -and is equally ready to take up either side of a question, so that -it is no wonder that he has found it a costly amusement. Sometimes -he will shut up a right of way and defy the parish to make him -open it. At others he will with his own hands tear down some -other man's gate and declare that a path has existed there from -time immemorial, defying the owner to prosecute him for trespass. -He is learned in old manorial and communal rights, and he applies -his knowledge sometimes in favour of the villagers of Fernworthy -and sometimes against them, so that he is periodically either -carried in triumph down the village street or else burned in -effigy, according to his latest exploit. He is said to have -about seven lawsuits upon his hands at present, which will probably -swallow up the remainder of his fortune and so draw his sting -and leave him harmless for the future. Apart from the law he -seems a kindly, good-natured person, and I only mention him because -you were particular that I should send some description of the -people who surround us. He is curiously employed at present, -for, being an amateur astronomer, he has an excellent telescope, -with which he lies upon the roof of his own house and sweeps the -moor all day in the hope of catching a glimpse of the escaped -convict. If he would confine his energies to this all would be -well, but there are rumours that he intends to prosecute Dr. -Mortimer for opening a grave without the consent of the next of -kin because he dug up the Neolithic skull in the barrow on Long -Down. He helps to keep our lives from being monotonous and gives -a little comic relief where it is badly needed. - -And now, having brought you up to date in the escaped convict, -the Stapletons, Dr. Mortimer, and Frankland, of Lafter Hall, let -me end on that which is most important and tell you more about -the Barrymores, and especially about the surprising development -of last night. - -First of all about the test telegram, which you sent from London -in order to make sure that Barrymore was really here. I have -already explained that the testimony of the postmaster shows that -the test was worthless and that we have no proof one way or the -other. I told Sir Henry how the matter stood, and he at once, -in his downright fashion, had Barrymore up and asked him whether -he had received the telegram himself. Barrymore said that he had. - -"Did the boy deliver it into your own hands?" asked Sir Henry. - -Barrymore looked surprised, and considered for a little time. - -"No," said he, "I was in the box-room at the time, and my wife -brought it up to me." - -"Did you answer it yourself?" - -"No; I told my wife what to answer and she went down to write it." - -In the evening he recurred to the subject of his own accord. - -"I could not quite understand the object of your questions this -morning, Sir Henry," said he. "I trust that they do not mean -that I have done anything to forfeit your confidence?" - -Sir Henry had to assure him that it was not so and pacify him by -giving him a considerable part of his old wardrobe, the London -outfit having now all arrived. - -Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is a heavy, solid person, -very limited, intensely respectable, and inclined to be puritanical. -You could hardly conceive a less emotional subject. Yet I have -told you how, on the first night here, I heard her sobbing bitterly, -and since then I have more than once observed traces of tears upon -her face. Some deep sorrow gnaws ever at her heart. Sometimes -I wonder if she has a guilty memory which haunts her, and sometimes -I suspect Barrymore of being a domestic tyrant. I have always -felt that there was something singular and questionable in this -man's character, but the adventure of last night brings all my -suspicions to a head. - -And yet it may seem a small matter in itself. You are aware that -I am not a very sound sleeper, and since I have been on guard in -this house my slumbers have been lighter than ever. Last night, -about two in the morning, I was aroused by a stealthy step passing -my room. I rose, opened my door, and peeped out. A long black -shadow was trailing down the corridor. It was thrown by a man -who walked softly down the passage with a candle held in his hand. -He was in shirt and trousers, with no covering to his feet. I -could merely see the outline, but his height told me that it was -Barrymore. He walked very slowly and circumspectly, and there was -something indescribably guilty and furtive in his whole appearance. - -I have told you that the corridor is broken by the balcony which -runs round the hall, but that it is resumed upon the farther side. -I waited until he had passed out of sight and then I followed him. -When I came round the balcony he had reached the end of the farther -corridor, and I could see from the glimmer of light through an -open door that he had entered one of the rooms. Now, all these -rooms are unfurnished and unoccupied so that his expedition became -more mysterious than ever. The light shone steadily as if he were -standing motionless. I crept down the passage as noiselessly as I -could and peeped round the corner of the door. - -Barrymore was crouching at the window with the candle held against -the glass. His profile was half turned towards me, and his face -seemed to be rigid with expectation as he stared out into the -blackness of the moor. For some minutes he stood watching -intently. Then he gave a deep groan and with an impatient -gesture he put out the light. Instantly I made my way back to -my room, and very shortly came the stealthy steps passing once -more upon their return journey. Long afterwards when I had fallen -into a light sleep I heard a key turn somewhere in a lock, but I -could not tell whence the sound came. What it all means I cannot -guess, but there is some secret business going on in this house -of gloom which sooner or later we shall get to the bottom of. I -do not trouble you with my theories, for you asked me to furnish -you only with facts. I have had a long talk with Sir Henry this -morning, and we have made a plan of campaign founded upon my -observations of last night. I will not speak about it just now, -but it should make my next report interesting reading. - - - - -Chapter 9 -The Light upon the Moor -[Second Report of Dr. Watson] - - - -Baskerville Hall, Oct. 15th. -MY DEAR HOLMES: -If I was compelled to leave you without much news during the early -days of my mission you must acknowledge that I am making up for -lost time, and that events are now crowding thick and fast upon -us. In my last report I ended upon my top note with Barrymore -at the window, and now I have quite a budget already which will, -unless I am much mistaken, considerably surprise you. Things -have taken a turn which I could not have anticipated. In some -ways they have within the last forty-eight hours become much -clearer and in some ways they have become more complicated. But -I will tell you all and you shall judge for yourself. - -Before breakfast on the morning following my adventure I went -down the corridor and examined the room in which Barrymore had -been on the night before. The western window through which he -had stared so intently has, I noticed, one peculiarity above all -other windows in the house--it commands the nearest outlook on to -the moor. There is an opening between two trees which enables -one from this point of view to look right down upon it, while -from all the other windows it is only a distant glimpse which -can be obtained. It follows, therefore, that Barrymore, since -only this window would serve the purpose, must have been looking -out for something or somebody upon the moor. The night was very -dark, so that I can hardly imagine how he could have hoped to -see anyone. It had struck me that it was possible that some -love intrigue was on foot. That would have accounted for his -stealthy movements and also for the uneasiness of his wife. The -man is a striking-looking fellow, very well equipped to steal -the heart of a country girl, so that this theory seemed to have -something to support it. That opening of the door which I had -heard after I had returned to my room might mean that he had -gone out to keep some clandestine appointment. So I reasoned -with myself in the morning, and I tell you the direction of my -suspicions, however much the result may have shown that they were -unfounded. - -But whatever the true explanation of Barrymore's movements might -be, I felt that the responsibility of keeping them to myself until -I could explain them was more than I could bear. I had an interview -with the baronet in his study after breakfast, and I told him all -that I had seen. He was less surprised than I had expected. - -"I knew that Barrymore walked about nights, and I had a mind to -speak to him about it," said he. "Two or three times I have heard -his steps in the passage, coming and going, just about the hour -you name." - -"Perhaps then he pays a visit every night to that particular -window," I suggested. - -"Perhaps he does. If so, we should be able to shadow him and see -what it is that he is after. I wonder what your friend Holmes -would do if he were here." - -"I believe that he would do exactly what you now suggest," said -I. "He would follow Barrymore and see what he did." - -"Then we shall do it together." - -"But surely he would hear us." - -"The man is rather deaf, and in any case we must take our chance -of that. We'll sit up in my room tonight and wait until he -passes." Sir Henry rubbed his hands with pleasure, and it was -evident that he hailed the adventure as a relief to his somewhat -quiet life upon the moor. - -The baronet has been in communication with the architect who -prepared the plans for Sir Charles, and with a contractor from -London, so that we may expect great changes to begin here soon. -There have been decorators and furnishers up from Plymouth, and -it is evident that our friend has large ideas and means to spare -no pains or expense to restore the grandeur of his family. When -the house is renovated and refurnished, all that he will need -will be a wife to make it complete. Between ourselves there are -pretty clear signs that this will not be wanting if the lady is -willing, for I have seldom seen a man more infatuated with a -woman than he is with our beautiful neighbour, Miss Stapleton. -And yet the course of true love does not run quite as smoothly -as one would under the circumstances expect. Today, for example, -its surface was broken by a very unexpected ripple, which has -caused our friend considerable perplexity and annoyance. - -After the conversation which I have quoted about Barrymore, Sir -Henry put on his hat and prepared to go out. As a matter of -course I did the same. - -"What, are you coming, Watson?" he asked, looking at me in a -curious way. - -"That depends on whether you are going on the moor," said I. - -"Yes, I am." - -"Well, you know what my instructions are. I am sorry to intrude, -but you heard how earnestly Holmes insisted that I should not leave -you, and especially that you should not go alone upon the moor." - -Sir Henry put his hand upon my shoulder with a pleasant smile. - -"My dear fellow," said he, "Holmes, with all his wisdom, did not -foresee some things which have happened since I have been on the -moor. You understand me? I am sure that you are the last man -in the world who would wish to be a spoil-sport. I must go out -alone." - -It put me in a most awkward position. I was at a loss what to -say or what to do, and before I had made up my mind he picked up -his cane and was gone. - -But when I came to think the matter over my conscience reproached -me bitterly for having on any pretext allowed him to go out of -my sight. I imagined what my feelings would be if I had to return -to you and to confess that some misfortune had occurred through -my disregard for your instructions. I assure you my cheeks flushed -at the very thought. It might not even now be too late to overtake -him, so I set off at once in the direction of Merripit House. - -I hurried along the road at the top of my speed without seeing -anything of Sir Henry, until I came to the point where the moor -path branches off. There, fearing that perhaps I had come in the -wrong direction after all, I mounted a hill from which I could -command a view--the same hill which is cut into the dark quarry. -Thence I saw him at once. He was on the moor path about a quarter -of a mile off, and a lady was by his side who could only be Miss -Stapleton. It was clear that there was already an understanding -between them and that they had met by appointment. They were -walking slowly along in deep conversation, and I saw her making -quick little movements of her hands as if she were very earnest -in what she was saying, while he listened intently, and once or -twice shook his head in strong dissent. I stood among the rocks -watching them, very much puzzled as to what I should do next. -To follow them and break into their intimate conversation seemed -to be an outrage, and yet my clear duty was never for an instant -to let him out of my sight. To act the spy upon a friend was a -hateful task. Still, I could see no better course than to observe -him from the hill, and to clear my conscience by confessing to -him afterwards what I had done. It is true that if any sudden -danger had threatened him I was too far away to be of use, and -yet I am sure that you will agree with me that the position was -very difficult, and that there was nothing more which I could do. - -Our friend, Sir Henry, and the lady had halted on the path and -were standing deeply absorbed in their conversation, when I was -suddenly aware that I was not the only witness of their interview. -A wisp of green floating in the air caught my eye, and another -glance showed me that it was carried on a stick by a man who was -moving among the broken ground. It was Stapleton with his -butterfly-net. He was very much closer to the pair than I was, -and he appeared to be moving in their direction. At this instant -Sir Henry suddenly drew Miss Stapleton to his side. His arm was -round her, but it seemed to me that she was straining away from -him with her face averted. He stooped his head to hers, and she -raised one hand as if in protest. Next moment I saw them spring -apart and turn hurriedly round. Stapleton was the cause of the -interruption. He was running wildly towards them, his absurd -net dangling behind him. He gesticulated and almost danced with -excitement in front of the lovers. What the scene meant I could -not imagine, but it seemed to me that Stapleton was abusing Sir -Henry, who offered explanations, which became more angry as the -other refused to accept them. The lady stood by in haughty silence. -Finally Stapleton turned upon his heel and beckoned in a peremptory -way to his sister, who, after an irresolute glance at Sir Henry, -walked off by the side of her brother. The naturalist's angry -gestures showed that the lady was included in his displeasure. -The baronet stood for a minute looking after them, and then he -walked slowly back the way that he had come, his head hanging, -the very picture of dejection. - -What all this meant I could not imagine, but I was deeply ashamed -to have witnessed so intimate a scene without my friend's knowledge. -I ran down the hill therefore and met the baronet at the bottom. -His face was flushed with anger and his brows were wrinkled, like -one who is at his wit's ends what to do. - -"Halloa, Watson! Where have you dropped from?" said he. "You -don't mean to say that you came after me in spite of all?" - -I explained everything to him: how I had found it impossible to -remain behind, how I had followed him, and how I had witnessed -all that had occurred. For an instant his eyes blazed at me, -but my frankness disarmed his anger, and he broke at last into -a rather rueful laugh. - -"You would have thought the middle of that prairie a fairly safe -place for a man to be private," said he, "but, by thunder, the -whole countryside seems to have been out to see me do my wooing-- -and a mighty poor wooing at that! Where had you engaged a seat?" - -"I was on that hill." - -"Quite in the back row, eh? But her brother was well up to the -front. Did you see him come out on us?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"Did he ever strike you as being crazy--this brother of hers?" - -"I can't say that he ever did." - -"I dare say not. I always thought him sane enough until today, -but you can take it from me that either he or I ought to be in -a straitjacket. What's the matter with me, anyhow? You've lived -near me for some weeks, Watson. Tell me straight, now! Is there -anything that would prevent me from making a good husband to a -woman that I loved?" - -"I should say not." - -"He can't object to my worldly position, so it must be myself -that he has this down on. What has he against me? I never hurt -man or woman in my life that I know of. And yet he would not so -much as let me touch the tips of her fingers." - -"Did he say so?" - -"That, and a deal more. I tell you, Watson, I've only known her -these few weeks, but from the first I just felt that she was made -for me, and she, too--she was happy when she was with me, and that -I'll swear. There's a light in a woman's eyes that speaks louder -than words. But he has never let us get together and it was only -today for the first time that I saw a chance of having a few words -with her alone. She was glad to meet me, but when she did it -was not love that she would talk about, and she wouldn't have let -me talk about it either if she could have stopped it. She kept -coming back to it that this was a place of danger, and that she -would never be happy until I had left it. I told her that since -I had seen her I was in no hurry to leave it, and that if she -really wanted me to go, the only way to work it was for her to -arrange to go with me. With that I offered in as many words to -marry her, but before she could answer, down came this brother -of hers, running at us with a face on him like a madman. He was -just white with rage, and those light eyes of his were blazing -with fury. What was I doing with the lady? How dared I offer -her attentions which were distasteful to her? Did I think that -because I was a baronet I could do what I liked? If he had not -been her brother I should have known better how to answer him. -As it was I told him that my feelings towards his sister were -such as I was not ashamed of, and that I hoped that she might -honour me by becoming my wife. That seemed to make the matter -no better, so then I lost my temper too, and I answered him -rather more hotly than I should perhaps, considering that she -was standing by. So it ended by his going off with her, as you -saw, and here am I as badly puzzled a man as any in this county. -Just tell me what it all means, Watson, and I'll owe you more -than ever I can hope to pay." - -I tried one or two explanations, but, indeed, I was completely -puzzled myself. Our friend's title, his fortune, his age, his -character, and his appearance are all in his favour, and I know -nothing against him unless it be this dark fate which runs in his -family. That his advances should be rejected so brusquely without -any reference to the lady's own wishes and that the lady should -accept the situation without protest is very amazing. However, -our conjectures were set at rest by a visit from Stapleton himself -that very afternoon. He had come to offer apologies for his -rudeness of the morning, and after a long private interview with -Sir Henry in his study the upshot of their conversation was that -the breach is quite healed, and that we are to dine at Merripit -House next Friday as a sign of it. - -"l don't say now that he isn't a crazy man," said Sir Henry "I -can't forget the look in his eyes when he ran at me this morning, -but I must allow that no man could make a more handsome apology -than he has done." - -"Did he give any explanation of his conduct?" - -"His sister is everything in his life, he says. That is natural -enough, and I am glad that he should understand her value. They -have always been together, and according to his account he has -been a very lonely man with only her as a companion, so that the -thought of losing her was really terrible to him. He had not -understood, he said, that I was becoming attached to her, but -when he saw with his own eyes that it was really so, and that -she might be taken away from him, it gave him such a shock that -for a time he was not responsible for what he said or did. He -was very sorry for all that had passed, and he recognized how -foolish and how selfish it was that he should imagine that he -could hold a beautiful woman like his sister to himself for her -whole life. If she had to leave him he had rather it was to a -neighbour like myself than to anyone else. But in any case it -was a blow to him and it would take him some time before he could -prepare himself to meet it. He would withdraw all opposition upon -his part if I would promise for three months to let the matter -rest and to be content with cultivating the lady's friendship -during that time without claiming her love. This I promised, -and so the matter rests." - -So there is one of our small mysteries cleared up. It is something -to have touched bottom anywhere in this bog in which we are -floundering. We know now why Stapleton looked with disfavour upon -his sister's suitor--even when that suitor was so eligible a one -as Sir Henry. And now I pass on to another thread which I have -extricated out of the tangled skein, the mystery of the sobs in -the night, of the tear-stained face of Mrs. Barrymore, of the -secret journey of the butler to the western lattice window. -Congratulate me, my dear Holmes, and tell me that I have not -disappointed you as an agent--that you do not regret the confidence -which you showed in me when you sent me down. All these things -have by one night's work been thoroughly cleared. - -I have said "by one night's work," but, in truth, it was by two -nights' work, for on the first we drew entirely blank. I sat up -with Sir Henry in his rooms until nearly three o'clock in the -morning, but no sound of any sort did we hear except the chiming -clock upon the stairs. It was a most melancholy vigil and ended -by each of us falling asleep in our chairs. Fortunately we were -not discouraged, and we determined to try again. The next night -we lowered the lamp and sat smoking cigarettes without making the -least sound. It was incredible how slowly the hours crawled by, -and yet we were helped through it by the same sort of patient -interest which the hunter must feel as he watches the trap into -which he hopes the game may wander. One struck, and two, and we -had almost for the second time given it up in despair when in an -instant we both sat bolt upright in our chairs with all our weary -senses keenly on the alert once more. We had heard the creak of -a step in the passage. - -Very stealthily we heard it pass along until it died away in the -distance. Then the baronet gently opened his door and we set out -in pursuit. Already our man had gone round the gallery and the -corridor was all in darkness. Softly we stole along until we had -come into the other wing. We were just in time to catch a glimpse -of the tall, black-bearded figure, his shoulders rounded as he -tiptoed down the passage. Then he passed through the same door -as before, and the light of the candle framed it in the darkness -and shot one single yellow beam across the gloom of the corridor. -We shuffled cautiously towards it, trying every plank before we -dared to put our whole weight upon it. We had taken the precaution -of leaving our boots behind us, but, even so, the old boards snapped -and creaked beneath our tread. Sometimes it seemed impossible -that he should fail to hear our approach. However, the man is -fortunately rather deaf, and he was entirely preoccupied in that -which he was doing. When at last we reached the door and peeped -through we found him crouching at the window, candle in hand, his -white, intent face pressed against the pane, exactly as I had seen -him two nights before. - -We had arranged no plan of campaign, but the baronet is a man to -whom the most direct way is always the most natural. He walked -into the room, and as he did so Barrymore sprang up from the -window with a sharp hiss of his breath and stood, livid and -trembling, before us. His dark eyes, glaring out of the white -mask of his face, were full of horror and astonishment as he gazed -from Sir Henry to me. - -"What are you doing here, Barrymore?" - -"Nothing, sir." His agitation was so great that he could hardly -speak, and the shadows sprang up and down from the shaking of his -candle. "It was the window, sir. I go round at night to see that -they are fastened." - -"On the second floor?" - -"Yes, sir, all the windows." - "Look here, Barrymore," said Sir Henry sternly, "we have made up -our minds to have the truth out of you, so it will save you trouble -to tell it sooner rather than later. Come, now! No lies! What -were you doing at that window?' - -The fellow looked at us in a helpless way, and he wrung his hands -together like one who is in the last extremity of doubt and misery. - -"I was doing no harm, sir. I was holding a candle to the window." - -"And why were you holding a candle to the window?" - -"Don't ask me, Sir Henry--don't ask me! I give you my word, sir, -that it is not my secret, and that I cannot tell it. If it -concerned no one but myself I would not try to keep it from you." - -A sudden idea occurred to me, and I took the candle from the -trembling hand of the butler. - -"He must have been holding it as a signal," said I. "Let us see -if there is any answer." I held it as he had done, and stared -out into the darkness of the night. Vaguely I could discern the -black bank of the trees and the lighter expanse of the moor, for -the moon was behind the clouds. And then I gave a cry of exultation, -for a tiny pinpoint of yellow light had suddenly transfixed the -dark veil, and glowed steadily in the centre of the black square -framed by the window. - -"There it is!" I cried. - -"No, no, sir, it is nothing--nothing at all!" the butler broke -in; "I assure you, sir--" - -"Move your light across the window, Watson!" cried the baronet. -"See, the other moves also! Now, you rascal, do you deny that -it is a signal? Come, speak up! Who is your confederate out -yonder, and what is this conspiracy that is going on?" - -The man's face became openly defiant. "It is my business, and -not yours. I will not tell." - -"Then you leave my employment right away." -"Very good, sir. If I must I must." - -"And you go in disgrace. By thunder, you may well be ashamed of -yourself. Your family has lived with mine for over a hundred -years under this roof, and here I find you deep in some dark plot -against me." - -"No, no, sir; no, not against you!" It was a woman's voice, and -Mrs. Barrymore, paler and more horrorstruck than her husband, was -standing at the door. Her bulky figure in a shawl and skirt -might have been comic were it not for the intensity of feeling -upon her face. - -"We have to go, Eliza. This is the end of it. You can pack our -things," said the butler. - -"Oh, John, John, have I brought you to this? It is my doing, -Sir Henry--all mine. He has done nothing except for my sake and -because I asked him." - -"Speak out, then! What does it mean?" - -"My unhappy brother is starving on the moor. We cannot let him -perish at our very gates. The light is a signal to him that food -is ready for him, and his light out yonder is to show the spot -to which to bring it." - -"Then your brother is--" - -"The escaped convict, sir--Selden, the criminal." - -"That's the truth, sir," said Barrymore. "I said that it was not -my secret and that I could not tell it to you. But now you have -heard it, and you will see that if there was a plot it was not -against you." - -This, then, was the explanation of the stealthy expeditions at -night and the light at the window. Sir Henry and I both stared -at the woman in amazement. Was it possible that this stolidly -respectable person was of the same blood as one of the most -notorious criminals in the country? - -"Yes, sir, my name was Selden, and he is my younger brother. We -humoured him too much when he was a lad and gave him his own way -in everything until he came to think that the world was made for -his pleasure, and that he could do what he liked in it. Then as -he grew older he met wicked companions, and the devil entered -into him until he broke my mother's heart and dragged our name -in the dirt. From crime to crime he sank lower and lower until -it is only the mercy of God which has snatched him from the -scaffold; but to me, sir, he was always the little curly-headed -boy that I had nursed and played with as an elder sister would. -That was why he broke prison, sir. He knew that I was here and -that we could not refuse to help him. When he dragged himself -here one night, weary and starving, with the warders hard at his -heels, what could we do? We took him in and fed him and cared -for him. Then you returned, sir, and my brother thought he would -be safer on the moor than anywhere else until the hue and cry -was over, so he lay in hiding there. But every second night we -made sure if he was still there by putting a light in the window, -and if there was an answer my husband took out some bread and meat -to him. Every day we hoped that he was gone, but as long as he -was there we could not desert him. That is the whole truth, as -I am an honest Christian woman and you will see that if there is -blame in the matter it does not lie with my husband but with me, -for whose sake he has done all that he has." - -The woman's words came with an intense earnestness which carried -conviction with them. - -"Is this true, Barrymore?" - -"Yes, Sir Henry. Every word of it." - -"Well, I cannot blame you for standing by your own wife. Forget -what I have said. Go to your room, you two, and we shall talk -further about this matter in the morning." - -When they were gone we looked out of the window again. Sir Henry -had flung it open, and the cold night wind beat in upon our faces. -Far away in the black distance there still glowed that one tiny -point of yellow light. - -"I wonder he dares," said Sir Henry. - -"It may be so placed as to be only visible from here." - -"Very likely. How far do you think it is?" - -"Out by the Cleft Tor, I think." - -"Not more than a mile or two off." - -"Hardly that." - -"Well, it cannot be far if Barrymore had to carry out the food -to it. And he is waiting, this villain, beside that candle. By -thunder, Watson, I am going out to take that man!" - -The same thought had crossed my own mind. It was not as if the -Barrymores had taken us into their confidence. Their secret had -been forced from them. The man was a danger to the community, -an unmitigated scoundrel for whom there was neither pity nor -excuse. We were only doing our duty in taking this chance of -putting him back where he could do no harm. With his brutal and -violent nature, others would have to pay the price if we held our -hands. Any night, for example, our neighbours the Stapletons -might be attacked by him, and it may have been the thought of -this which made Sir Henry so keen upon the adventure. - -"I will come," said I. - -"Then get your revolver and put on your boots. The sooner we -start the better, as the fellow may put out his light and be off." - -In five minutes we were outside the door, starting upon our -expedition. We hurried through the dark shrubbery, amid the -dull moaning of the autumn wind and the rustle of the falling -leaves. The night air was heavy with the smell of damp and -decay. Now and again the moon peeped out for an instant, but -clouds were driving over the face of the sky, and just as we -came out on the moor a thin rain began to fall. The light still -burned steadily in front. - -"Are you armed?" I asked. - -"I have a hunting-crop." - -"We must close in on him rapidly, for he is said to be a desperate -fellow. We shall take him by surprise and have him at our mercy -before he can resist." - -"I say, Watson," said the baronet, "what would Holmes say to this? -How about that hour of darkness in which the power of evil is -exalted?" - -As if in answer to his words there rose suddenly out of the vast -gloom of the moor that strange cry which I had already heard upon -the borders of the great Grimpen Mire. It came with the wind -through the silence of the night, a long, deep mutter then a -rising howl, and then the sad moan in which it died away. Again -and again it sounded, the whole air throbbing with it, strident, -wild, and menacing. The baronet caught my sleeve and his face -glimmered white through the darkness. - -"My God, what's that, Watson?" - -"I don't know. It's a sound they have on the moor. I heard it -once before." - It died away, and an absolute silence closed in upon us. We stood -straining our ears, but nothing came. - -"Watson," said the baronet, "it was the cry of a hound." - -My blood ran cold in my veins, for there was a break in his voice -which told of the sudden horror which had seized him. - -"What do they call this sound?" he asked. - -"Who?" - -"The folk on the countryside." - -"Oh, they are ignorant people. Why should you mind what they -call it?" - -"Tell me, Watson. What do they say of it?" - -I hesitated but could not escape the question. - -"They say it is the cry of the Hound of the Baskervilles." - -He groaned and was silent for a few moments. - -"A hound it was," he said at last, "but it seemed to come from -miles away, over yonder, I think." - -"It was hard to say whence it came." - -"It rose and fell with the wind. Isn't that the direction of -the great Grimpen Mire?" - -"Yes, it is." - -"Well, it was up there. Come now, Watson, didn't you think -yourself that it was the cry of a hound? I am not a child. You -need not fear to speak the truth." - -"Stapleton was with me when I heard it last. He said that it -might be the calling of a strange bird." - -"No, no, it was a hound. My God, can there be some truth in all -these stories? Is it possible that I am really in danger from so -dark a cause? You don't believe it, do you, Watson?" - -"No, no." - -"And yet it was one thing to laugh about it in London, and it is -another to stand out here in the darkness of the moor and to hear -such a cry as that. And my uncle! There was the footprint of the -hound beside him as he lay. It all fits together. I don't think -that I am a coward, Watson, but that sound seemed to freeze my -very blood. Feel my hand!" - -It was as cold as a block of marble. - -"You'll be all right tomorrow." - -"I don't think I'll get that cry out of my head. What do you -advise that we do now?" - -"Shall we turn back?" - -"No, by thunder; we have come out to get our man, and we will -do it. We after the convict, and a hell-hound, as likely as not, -after us. Come on! We'll see it through if all the fiends of -the pit were loose upon the moor." - -We stumbled slowly along in the darkness, with the black loom of -the craggy hills around us, and the yellow speck of light burning -steadily in front. There is nothing so deceptive as the distance -of a light upon a pitch-dark night, and sometimes the glimmer -seemed to be far away upon the horizon and sometimes it might -have been within a few yards of us. But at last we could see -whence it came, and then we knew that we were indeed very close. -A guttering candle was stuck in a crevice of the rocks which -flanked it on each side so as to keep the wind from it and also -to prevent it from being visible, save in the direction of -Baskerville Hall. A boulder of granite concealed our approach, -and crouching behind it we gazed over it at the signal light. -It was strange to see this single candle burning there in the -middle of the moor, with no sign of life near it--just the one -straight yellow flame and the gleam of the rock on each side of it. - -"What shall we do now?" whispered Sir Henry. - -"Wait here. He must be near his light. Let us see if we can get -a glimpse of him." - -The words were hardly out of my mouth when we both saw him. Over -the rocks, in the crevice of which the candle burned, there was -thrust out an evil yellow face, a terrible animal face, all seamed -and scored with vile passions. Foul with mire, with a bristling -beard, and hung with matted hair, it might well have belonged to -one of those old savages who dwelt in the burrows on the hillsides. -The light beneath him was reflected in his small, cunning eyes -which peered fiercely to right and left through the darkness like -a crafty and savage animal who has heard the steps of the hunters. - -Something had evidently aroused his suspicions. It may have been -that Barrymore had some private signal which we had neglected to -give, or the fellow may have had some other reason for thinking -that all was not well, but I could read his fears upon his wicked -face. Any instant he might dash out the light and vanish in the -darkness. I sprang forward therefore, and Sir Henry did the same. -At the same moment the convict screamed out a curse at us and -hurled a rock which splintered up against the boulder which had -sheltered us. I caught one glimpse of his short, squat, strongly -built figure as he sprang to his feet and turned to run. At the -same moment by a lucky chance the moon broke through the clouds. -We rushed over the brow of the hill, and there was our man running -with great speed down the other side, springing over the stones -in his way with the activity of a mountain goat. A lucky long -shot of my revolver might have crippled him, but I had brought -it only to defend myself if attacked and not to shoot an unarmed -man who was running away. - -We were both swift runners and in fairly good training, but we -soon found that we had no chance of overtaking him. We saw him -for a long time in the moonlight until he was only a small speck -moving swiftly among the boulders upon the side of a distant hill. -We ran and ran until we were completely blown, but the space -between us grew ever wider. Finally we stopped and sat panting -on two rocks, while we watched him disappearing in the distance. - -And it was at this moment that there occurred a most strange and -unexpected thing. We had risen from our rocks and were turning -to go home, having abandoned the hopeless chase. The moon was -low upon the right, and the jagged pinnacle of a granite tor -stood up against the lower curve of its silver disc. There, -outlined as black as an ebony statue on that shining background, -I saw the figure of a man upon the tor. Do not think that it -was a delusion, Holmes. I assure you that I have never in my -life seen anything more clearly. As far as I could judge, the -figure was that of a tall, thin man. He stood with his legs a -little separated, his arms folded, his head bowed, as if he were -brooding over that enormous wilderness of peat and granite which -lay before him. He might have been the very spirit of that -terrible place. It was not the convict. This man was far from -the place where the latter had disappeared. Besides, he was a -much taller man. With a cry of surprise I pointed him out to -the baronet, but in the instant during which I had turned to -grasp his arm the man was gone. There was the sharp pinnacle of -granite still cutting the lower edge of the moon, but its peak -bore no trace of that silent and motionless figure. - -I wished to go in that direction and to search the tor, but it -was some distance away. The baronet's nerves were still quivering -from that cry, which recalled the dark story of his family, and -he was not in the mood for fresh adventures. He had not seen -this lonely man upon the tor and could not feel the thrill which -his strange presence and his commanding attitude had given to me. -"A warder, no doubt," said he. "The moor has been thick with -them since this fellow escaped." Well, perhaps his explanation -may be the right one, but I should like to have some further proof -of it. Today we mean to communicate to the Princetown people -where they should look for their missing man, but it is hard lines -that we have not actually had the triumph of bringing him back -as our own prisoner. Such are the adventures of last night, and -you must acknowledge, my dear Holmes, that I have done you very -well in the matter of a report. Much of what I tell you is no -doubt quite irrelevant, but still I feel that it is best that I -should let you have all the facts and leave you to select for -yourself those which will be of most service to you in helping -you to your conclusions. We are certainly making some progress. -So far as the Barrymores go we have found the motive of their -actions, and that has cleared up the situation very much. But -the moor with its mysteries and its strange inhabitants remains -as inscrutable as ever. Perhaps in my next I may be able to throw -some light upon this also. Best of all would it be if you could -come down to us. In any case you will hear from me again in the -course of the next few days. - - - - -Chapter 10 -Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson - - - -So far I have been able to quote from the reports which I have -forwarded during these early days to Sherlock Holmes. Now, -however, I have arrived at a point in my narrative where I am -compelled to abandon this method and to trust once more to my -recollections, aided by the diary which I kept at the time. A -few extracts from the latter will carry me on to those scenes -which are indelibly fixed in every detail upon my memory. I -proceed, then, from the morning which followed our abortive chase -of the convict and our other strange experiences upon the moor. - -October 16th. A dull and foggy day with a drizzle of rain. The -house is banked in with rolling clouds, which rise now and then -to show the dreary curves of the moor, with thin, silver veins -upon the sides of the hills, and the distant boulders gleaming -where the light strikes upon their wet faces. It is melancholy -outside and in. The baronet is in a black reaction after the -excitements of the night. I am conscious myself of a weight at -my heart and a feeling of impending danger--ever present danger, -which is the more terrible because I am unable to define it. - -And have I not cause for such a feeling? Consider the long -sequence of incidents which have all pointed to some sinister -influence which is at work around us. There is the death of the -last occupant of the Hall, fulfilling so exactly the conditions -of the family legend, and there are the repeated reports from -peasants of the appearance of a strange creature upon the moor. -Twice I have with my own ears heard the sound which resembled the -distant baying of a hound. It is incredible, impossible, that it -should really be outside the ordinary laws of nature. A spectral -hound which leaves material footmarks and fills the air with its -howling is surely not to be thought of. Stapleton may fall in -with such a superstition, and Mortimer also, but if I have one -quality upon earth it is common sense, and nothing will persuade -me to believe in such a thing. To do so would be to descend to -the level of these poor peasants, who are not content with a mere -fiend dog but must needs describe him with hell-fire shooting from -his mouth and eyes. Holmes would not listen to such fancies, and -I am his agent. But facts are facts, and I have twice heard this -crying upon the moor. Suppose that there were really some huge -hound loose upon it; that would go far to explain everything. But -where could such a hound lie concealed, where did it get its food, -where did it come from, how was it that no one saw it by day? It -must be confessed that the natural explanation offers almost as -many difficulties as the other. And always, apart from the hound, -there is the fact of the human agency in London, the man in the -cab, and the letter which warned Sir Henry against the moor. This -at least was real, but it might have been the work of a protecting -friend as easily as of an enemy. Where is that friend or enemy -now? Has he remained in London, or has he followed us down here? -Could he--could he be the stranger whom I saw upon the tor? - -It is true that I have had only the one glance at him, and yet -there are some things to which I am ready to swear. He is no -one whom I have seen down here, and I have now met all the -neighbours. The figure was far taller than that of Stapleton, -far thinner than that of Frankland. Barrymore it might possibly -have been, but we had left him behind us, and I am certain that -he could not have followed us. A stranger then is still dogging -us, just as a stranger dogged us in London. We have never shaken -him off. If I could lay my hands upon that man, then at last we -might find ourselves at the end of all our difficulties. To this -one purpose I must now devote all my energies. - -My first impulse was to tell Sir Henry all my plans. My second -and wisest one is to play my own game and speak as little as -possible to anyone. He is silent and distrait. His nerves have -been strangely shaken by that sound upon the moor. I will say -nothing to add to his anxieties, but I will take my own steps to -attain my own end. - -We had a small scene this morning after breakfast. Barrymore -asked leave to speak with Sir Henry, and they were closeted in -his study some little time. Sitting in the billiard-room I more -than once heard the sound of voices raised, and I had a pretty -good idea what the point was which was under discussion. After -a time the baronet opened his door and called for me. -"Barrymore considers that he has a grievance," he said. "He -thinks that it was unfair on our part to hunt his brother-in-law -down when he, of his own free will, had told us the secret." - -The butler was standing very pale but very collected before us. - -"I may have spoken too warmly, sir," said he, "and if I have, I -am sure that I beg your pardon. At the same time, I was very -much surprised when I heard you two gentlemen come back this -morning and learned that you had been chasing Selden. The poor -fellow has enough to fight against without my putting more upon -his track." - -"If you had told us of your own free will it would have been a -different thing," said the baronet, "you only told us, or rather -your wife only told us, when it was forced from you and you could -not help yourself." - -"I didn't think you would have taken advantage of it, Sir Henry-- -indeed I didn't." - -"The man is a public danger. There are lonely houses scattered -over the moor, and he is a fellow who would stick at nothing. -You only want to get a glimpse of his face to see that. Look at -Mr. Stapleton's house, for example, with no one but himself to -defend it. There's no safety for anyone until he is under lock -and key." - -"He'll break into no house, sir. I give you my solemn word upon -that. But he will never trouble anyone in this country again. -I assure you, Sir Henry, that in a very few days the necessary -arrangements will have been made and he will be on his way to -South America. For God's sake, sir, I beg of you not to let the -police know that he is still on the moor. They have given up the -chase there, and he can lie quiet until the ship is ready for him. -You can't tell on him without getting my wife and me into trouble. -I beg you, sir, to say nothing to the police." - -"What do you say, Watson?" - -I shrugged my shoulders. "If he were safely out of the country -it would relieve the tax-payer of a burden." - -"But how about the chance of his holding someone up before he goes?" - -"He would not do anything so mad, sir. We have provided him with -all that he can want. To commit a crime would be to show where -he was hiding." - -"That is true," said Sir Henry. "Well, Barrymore--" - -"God bless you, sir, and thank you from my heart! It would have -killed my poor wife had he been taken again." - -"I guess we are aiding and abetting a felony, Watson? But, after -what we have heard I don't feel as if I could give the man up, so -there is an end of it. All right, Barrymore, you can go." - -With a few broken words of gratitude the man turned, but he -hesitated and then came back. - -"You've been so kind to us, sir, that I should like to do the -best I can for you in return. I know something, Sir Henry, and -perhaps I should have said it before, but it was long after the -inquest that I found it out. I've never breathed a word about -it yet to mortal man. It's about poor Sir Charles's death." - -The baronet and I were both upon our feet. "Do you know how he -died?" - -"No, sir, I don't know that." - -"What then?" - -"I know why he was at the gate at that hour. It was to meet a -woman." - -"To meet a woman! He?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"And the woman's name?" - -"I can't give you the name, sir, but I can give you the initials. -Her initials were L. L." - -"How do you know this, Barrymore?" - -"Well, Sir Henry, your uncle had a letter that morning. He had -usually a great many letters, for he was a public man and well -known for his kind heart, so that everyone who was in trouble was -glad to turn to him. But that morning, as it chanced, there was -only this one letter, so I took the more notice of it. It was -from Coombe Tracey, and it was addressed in a woman's hand." - -"Well?" - -"Well, sir, I thought no more of the matter, and never would have -done had it not been for my wife. Only a few weeks ago she was -cleaning out Sir Charles's study--it had never been touched since -his death--and she found the ashes of a burned letter in the back -of the grate. The greater part of it was charred to pieces, but -one little slip, the end of a page, hung together, and the writing -could still be read, though it was gray on a black ground. It -seemed to us to be a postscript at the end of the letter and it -said: 'Please, please, as you are a gentleman, burn this letter, -and be at the gate by ten o clock. Beneath it were signed the -initials L. L." - -"Have you got that slip?" - -"No, sir, it crumbled all to bits after we moved it." - -"Had Sir Charles received any other letters in the same writing?" - -"Well, sir, I took no particular notice of his letters. I should -not have noticed this one, only it happened to come alone." - -"And you have no idea who L. L. is?" - -"No, sir. No more than you have. But I expect if we could lay -our hands upon that lady we should know more about Sir Charles's -death." - -"I cannot understand, Barrymore, how you came to conceal this -important information." - -"Well, sir, it was immediately after that our own trouble came -to us. And then again, sir, we were both of us very fond of Sir -Charles, as we well might be considering all that he has done for -us. To rake this up couldn't help our poor master, and it's well -to go carefully when there's a lady in the case. Even the best -of us--" - -"You thought it might injure his reputation?" - -"Well, sir, I thought no good could come of it. But now you have -been kind to us, and I feel as if it would be treating you unfairly -not to tell you all that I know about the matter." - -"Very good, Barrymore; you can go." When the butler had left us -Sir Henry turned to me. "Well, Watson, what do you think of this -new light?" - -"It seems to leave the darkness rather blacker than before." - -"So I think. But if we can only trace L. L. it should clear up -the whole business. We have gained that much. We know that -there is someone who has the facts if we can only find her. What -do you think we should do?" - -"Let Holmes know all about it at once. It will give him the clue -for which he has been seeking. I am much mistaken if it does not -bring him down." - -I went at once to my room and drew up my report of the morning's -conversation for Holmes. It was evident to me that he had been -very busy of late, for the notes which I had from Baker Street -were few and short, with no comments upon the information which -I had supplied and hardly any reference to my mission. No doubt -his blackmailing case is absorbing all his faculties. And yet -this new factor must surely arrest his attention and renew his -interest. I wish that he were here. - -October 17th. All day today the rain poured down, rustling on -the ivy and dripping from the eaves. I thought of the convict -out upon the bleak, cold, shelterless moor. Poor devil! Whatever -his crimes, he has suffered something to atone for them. And -then I thought of that other one--the face in the cab, the figure -against the moon. Was he also out in that deluged--the unseen -watcher, the man of darkness? In the evening I put on my -waterproof and I walked far upon the sodden moor, full of dark -imaginings, the rain beating upon my face and the wind whistling -about my ears. God help those who wander into the great mire now, -for even the firm uplands are becoming a morass. I found the -black tor upon which I had seen the solitary watcher, and from -its craggy summit I looked out myself across the melancholy downs. -Rain squalls drifted across their russet face, and the heavy, -slate-coloured clouds hung low over the landscape, trailing in -gray wreaths down the sides of the fantastic hills. In the -distant hollow on the left, half hidden by the mist, the two -thin towers of Baskerville Hall rose above the trees. They were -the only signs of human life which I could see, save only those -prehistoric huts which lay thickly upon the slopes of the hills. -Nowhere was there any trace of that lonely man whom I had seen -on the same spot two nights before. - -As I walked back I was overtaken by Dr. Mortimer driving in his -dog-cart over a rough moorland track which led from the outlying -farmhouse of Foulmire. He has been very attentive to us, and -hardly a day has passed that he has not called at the Hall to -see how we were getting on. He insisted upon my climbing into -his dog-cart, and he gave me a lift homeward. I found him much -troubled over the disappearance of his little spaniel. It had -wandered on to the moor and had never come back. I gave him such -consolation as I might, but I thought of the pony on the Grimpen -Mire, and I do not fancy that he will see his little dog again. - -"By the way, Mortimer," said I as we jolted along the rough road, -"I suppose there are few people living within driving distance of -this whom you do not know?" - -"Hardly any, I think." - -"Can you, then, tell me the name of any woman whose initials are -L. L.?" - -He thought for a few minutes. - -"No," said he. "There are a few gipsies and labouring folk for -whom I can't answer, but among the farmers or gentry there is no -one whose initials are those. Wait a bit though," he added after -a pause. "There is Laura Lyons--her initials are L. L.--but she -lives in Coombe Tracey." - -"Who is she?" I asked. - -"She is Frankland's daughter." - -"What! Old Frankland the crank?" - -"Exactly. She married an artist named Lyons, who came sketching -on the moor. He proved to be a blackguard and deserted her. The -fault from what I hear may not have been entirely on one side. Her -father refused to have anything to do with her because she had -married without his consent and perhaps for one or two other -reasons as well. So, between the old sinner and the young one -the girl has had a pretty bad time." - -"How does she live?" - -"I fancy old Frankland allows her a pittance, but it cannot be -more, for his own affairs are considerably involved. Whatever -she may have deserved one could not allow her to go hopelessly -to the bad. Her story got about, and several of the people here -did something to enable her to earn an honest living. Stapleton -did for one, and Sir Charles for another. I gave a trifle myself. -It was to set her up in a typewriting business." - -He wanted to know the object of my inquiries, but I managed to -satisfy his curiosity without telling him too much, for there is -no reason why we should take anyone into our confidence. Tomorrow -morning I shall find my way to Coombe Tracey, and if I can see -this Mrs. Laura Lyons, of equivocal reputation, a long step will -have been made towards clearing one incident in this chain of -mysteries. I am certainly developing the wisdom of the serpent, -for when Mortimer pressed his questions to an inconvenient extent -I asked him casually to what type Frankland's skull belonged, and -so heard nothing but craniology for the rest of our drive. I have -not lived for years with Sherlock Holmes for nothing. - -I have only one other incident to record upon this tempestuous -and melancholy day. This was my conversation with Barrymore -just now, which gives me one more strong card which I can play -in due time. - -Mortimer had stayed to dinner, and he and the baronet played -ecarte afterwards. The butler brought me my coffee into the -library, and I took the chance to ask him a few questions. - -"Well," said I, "has this precious relation of yours departed, -or is he still lurking out yonder?" - -"I don't know, sir. I hope to heaven that he has gone, for he -has brought nothing but trouble here! I've not heard of him -since I left out food for him last, and that was three days ago." - -"Did you see him then?" - -"No, sir, but the food was gone when next I went that way." - -"Then he was certainly there?" - -"So you would think, sir, unless it was the other man who took it." - -I sat with my coffee--cup halfway to my lips and stared at Barrymore. - -"You know that there is another man then?" - -"Yes, sir; there is another man upon the moor." - -"Have you seen him?" - -"No, sir." - -"How do you know of him then?" - -"Selden told me of him, sir, a week ago or more. He's in hiding, -too, but he's not a convict as far as I can make out. I don't -like it, Dr. Watson--I tell you straight, sir, that I don't like -it." He spoke with a sudden passion of earnestness. - -"Now, listen to me, Barrymore! I have no interest in this matter -but that of your master. I have come here with no object except to -help him. Tell me, frankly, what it is that you don't like." - -Barrymore hesitated for a moment, as if he regretted his outburst -or found it difficult to express his own feelings in words. - -"It's all these goings-on, sir," he cried at last, waving his hand -towards the rain-lashed window which faced the moor. "There's foul -play somewhere, and there's black villainy brewing, to that I'll -swear! Very glad I should be, sir, to see Sir Henry on his way -back to London again!" - -"But what is it that alarms you?" - -"Look at Sir Charles's death! That was bad enough, for all that -the coroner said. Look at the noises on the moor at night. There's -not a man would cross it after sundown if he was paid for it. Look -at this stranger hiding out yonder, and watching and waiting! -What's he waiting for? What does it mean? It means no good to -anyone of the name of Baskerville, and very glad I shall be to -be quit of it all on the day that Sir Henry's new servants are -ready to take over the Hall." - -"But about this stranger," said I. "Can you tell me anything -about him? What did Selden say? Did he find out where he hid, -or what he was doing?" - -"He saw him once or twice, but he is a deep one and gives nothing -away. At first he thought that he was the police, but soon he -found that he had some lay of his own. A kind of gentleman he -was, as far as he could see, but what he was doing he could not -make out." - -"And where did he say that he lived?" - -"Among the old houses on the hillside--the stone huts where the -old folk used to live." - -"But how about his food?" - -"Selden found out that he has got a lad who works for him and -brings all he needs. I dare say he goes to Coombe Tracey for -what he wants." - -"Very good, Barrymore. We may talk further of this some other -time." When the butler had gone I walked over to the black window, -and I looked through a blurred pane at the driving clouds and at -the tossing outline of the wind-swept trees. It is a wild night -indoors, and what must it be in a stone hut upon the moor. What -passion of hatred can it be which leads a man to lurk in such a -place at such a time! And what deep and earnest purpose can he -have which calls for such a trial! There, in that hut upon the -moor, seems to lie the very centre of that problem which has -vexed me so sorely. I swear that another day shall not have -passed before I have done all that man can do to reach the heart -of the mystery. - - - - -Chapter 11 -The Man on the Tor - - - -The extract from my private diary which forms the last chapter -has brought my narrative up to the eighteenth of October, a time -when these strange events began to move swiftly towards their -terrible conclusion. The incidents of the next few days are -indelibly graven upon my recollection, and I can tell them without -reference to the notes made at the time. I start them from the -day which succeeded that upon which I had established two facts -of great importance, the one that Mrs. Laura Lyons of Coombe Tracey -had written to Sir Charles Baskerville and made an appointment with -him at the very place and hour that he met his death, the other -that the lurking man upon the moor was to be found among the stone -huts upon the hillside. With these two facts in my possession I -felt that either my intelligence or my courage must be deficient -if I could not throw some further light upon these dark places. - -I had no opportunity to tell the baronet what I had learned about -Mrs. Lyons upon the evening before, for Dr. Mortimer remained with -him at cards until it was very late. At breakfast, however, I -informed him about my discovery and asked him whether he would -care to accompany me to Coombe Tracey. At first he was very -eager to come, but on second thoughts it seemed to both of us -that if I went alone the results might be better. The more -formal we made the visit the less information we might obtain. I -left Sir Henry behind, therefore, not without some prickings of -conscience, and drove off upon my new quest. - -When I reached Coombe Tracey I told Perkins to put up the horses, -and I made inquiries for the lady whom I had come to interrogate. -I had no difficulty in finding her rooms, which were central and -well appointed. A maid showed me in without ceremony, and as I -entered the sitting-room a lady, who was sitting before a Remington -typewriter, sprang up with a pleasant smile of welcome. Her face -fell, however, when she saw that I was a stranger, and she sat -down again and asked me the object of my visit. - -The first impression left by Mrs. Lyons was one of extreme beauty. -Her eyes and hair were of the same rich hazel colour, and her -cheeks, though considerably freckled, were flushed with the -exquisite bloom of the brunette, the dainty pink which lurks at -the heart of the sulphur rose. Admiration was, I repeat, the first -impression. But the second was criticism. There was something -subtly wrong with the face, some coarseness of expression, some -hardness, perhaps, of eye, some looseness of lip which marred its -perfect beauty. But these, of course, are afterthoughts. At the -moment I was simply conscious that I was in the presence of a -very handsome woman, and that she was asking me the reasons for -my visit. I had not quite understood until that instant how -delicate my mission was. - -"I have the pleasure," said I, "of knowing your father." - -It was a clumsy introduction, and the lady made me feel it. "There -is nothing in common between my father and me," she said. "I owe -him nothing, and his friends are not mine. If it were not for -the late Sir Charles Baskerville and some other kind hearts I might -have starved for all that my father cared." - -"It was about the late Sir Charles Baskerville that I have come -here to see you." - -The freckles started out on the lady's face. - -"What can I tell you about him?" she asked, and her fingers played -nervously over the stops of her typewriter. - -"You knew him, did you not?" - -"I have already said that I owe a great deal to his kindness. If -I am able to support myself it is largely due to the interest -which he took in my unhappy situation." - -"Did you correspond with him?" - -The lady looked quickly up with an angry gleam in her hazel eyes. - -"What is the object of these questions?" she asked sharply. - -"The object is to avoid a public scandal. It is better that I -should ask them here than that the matter should pass outside -our control." - -She was silent and her face was still very pale. At last she -looked up with something reckless and defiant in her manner. - -"Well, I'll answer," she said. "What are your questions?" - -"Did you correspond with Sir Charles?" - -"I certainly wrote to him once or twice to acknowledge his delicacy -and his generosity." - -"Have you the dates of those letters?" - -"No." - -"Have you ever met him?" - -"Yes, once or twice, when he came into Coombe Tracey. He was a -very retiring man, and he preferred to do good by stealth." - -"But if you saw him so seldom and wrote so seldom, how did he -know enough about your affairs to be able to help you, as you -say that he has done?" - -She met my difficulty with the utmost readiness. - -"There were several gentlemen who knew my sad history and united -to help me. One was Mr. Stapleton, a neighbour and intimate friend -of Sir Charles's. He was exceedingly kind, and it was through -him that Sir Charles learned about my affairs." - -I knew already that Sir Charles Baskerville had made Stapleton -his almoner upon several occasions, so the lady's statement bore -the impress of truth upon it. - -"Did you ever write to Sir Charles asking him to meet you?" I -continued. - -Mrs. Lyons flushed with anger again. "Really, sir, this is a -very extraordinary question." - -"I am sorry, madam, but I must repeat it." - -"Then I answer, certainly not." - -"Not on the very day of Sir Charles's death?" - -The flush had faded in an instant, and a deathly face was before -me. Her dry lips could not speak the "No" which I saw rather -than heard. - -"Surely your memory deceives you," said I. "I could even quote a -passage of your letter. It ran 'Please, please, as you are a -gentleman, burn this letter, and be at the gate by ten o'clock.'" - -I thought that she had fainted, but she recovered herself by a -supreme effort. - -"Is there no such thing as a gentleman?" she gasped. - -"You do Sir Charles an injustice. He did burn the letter. But -sometimes a letter may be legible even when burned. You acknowledge -now that you wrote it?" - -"Yes, I did write it," she cried, pouring out her soul in a torrent -of words. "I did write it. Why should I deny it? I have no -reason to be ashamed of it. I wished him to help me. I believed -that if I had an interview I could gain his help, so I asked him -to meet me." - -"But why at such an hour?" - -"Because I had only just learned that he was going to London next -day and might be away for months. There were reasons why I could -not get there earlier." - -"But why a rendezvous in the garden instead of a visit to the -house?" - -"Do you think a woman could go alone at that hour to a bachelor's -house?" - -"Well, what happened when you did get there?" - -"I never went." - -"Mrs. Lyons!" - -"No, I swear it to you on all I hold sacred. I never went. -Something intervened to prevent my going." - -"What was that?" - -"That is a private matter. I cannot tell it." - -"You acknowledge then that you made an appointment with Sir Charles -at the very hour and place at which he met his death, but you deny -that you kept the appointment." - -"That is the truth." - -Again and again I cross-questioned her, but I could never get past -that point. - -"Mrs. Lyons," said I as I rose from this long and inconclusive -interview, "you are taking a very great responsibility and putting -yourself in a very false position by not making an absolutely -clean breast of all that you know. If I have to call in the aid -of the police you will find how seriously you are compromised. -If your position is innocent, why did you in the first instance -deny having written to Sir Charles upon that date?" - -"Because I feared that some false conclusion might be drawn from -it and that I might find myself involved in a scandal." - -"And why were you so pressing that Sir Charles should destroy -your letter?" - -"If you have read the letter you will know." - -"I did not say that I had read all the letter." - -"You quoted some of it." - -"I quoted the postscript. The letter had, as I said, been burned -and it was not all legible. I ask you once again why it was that -you were so pressing that Sir Charles should destroy this letter -which he received on the day of his death." - -"The matter is a very private one." - -"The more reason why you should avoid a public investigation." - -"I will tell you, then. If you have heard anything of my unhappy -history you will know that I made a rash marriage and had reason -to regret it." - -"I have heard so much." - -"My life has been one incessant persecution from a husband whom -I abhor. The law is upon his side, and every day I am faced by -the possibility that he may force me to live with him. At the -time that I wrote this letter to Sir Charles I had learned that -there was a prospect of my regaining my freedom if certain expenses -could be met. It meant everything to me--peace of mind, happiness, -self-respect--everything. I knew Sir Charles's generosity, and -I thought that if he heard the story from my own lips he would -help me." - -"Then how is it that you did not go?" - -"Because I received help in the interval from another source." - -"Why then, did you not write to Sir Charles and explain this?" - -"So I should have done had I not seen his death in the paper next -morning." - -The woman's story hung coherently together, and all my questions -were unable to shake it. I could only check it by finding if she -had, indeed, instituted divorce proceedings against her husband -at or about the time of the tragedy. - -It was unlikely that she would dare to say that she had not been -to Baskerville Hall if she really had been, for a trap would be -necessary to take her there, and could not have returned to -Coombe Tracey until the early hours of the morning. Such an -excursion could not be kept secret. The probability was, -therefore, that she was telling the truth, or, at least, a part -of the truth. I came away baffled and disheartened. Once again -I had reached that dead wall which seemed to be built across -every path by which I tried to get at the object of my mission. -And yet the more I thought of the lady's face and of her manner -the more I felt that something was being held back from me. Why -should she turn so pale? Why should she fight against every -admission until it was forced from her? Why should she have been -so reticent at the time of the tragedy? Surely the explanation -of all this could not be as innocent as she would have me believe. -For the moment I could proceed no farther in that direction, but -must turn back to that other clue which was to be sought for -among the stone huts upon the moor. - -And that was a most vague direction. I realized it as I drove -back and noted how hill after hill showed traces of the ancient -people. Barrymore's only indication had been that the stranger -lived in one of these abandoned huts, and many hundreds of them -are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the moor. But -I had my own experience for a guide since it had shown me the man -himself standing upon the summit of the Black Tor. That, then, -should be the centre of my search. From there I should explore -every hut upon the moor until I lighted upon the right one. If -this man were inside it I should find out from his own lips, at -the point of my revolver if necessary, who he was and why he had -dogged us so long. He might slip away from us in the crowd of -Regent Street, but it would puzzle him to do so upon the lonely -moor. On the other hand, if I should find the hut and its tenant -should not be within it I must remain there, however long the -vigil, until he returned. Holmes had missed him in London. It -would indeed be a triumph for me if I could run him to earth -where my master had failed. - -Luck had been against us again and again in this inquiry, but now -at last it came to my aid. And the messenger of good fortune was -none other than Mr. Frankland, who was standing, gray-whiskered -and red-faced, outside the gate of his garden, which opened on -to the highroad along which I travelled. - -"Good-day, Dr. Watson," cried he with unwonted good humour, "you -must really give your horses a rest and come in to have a glass -of wine and to congratulate me." - -My feelings towards him were very far from being friendly after -what I had heard of his treatment of his daughter, but I was -anxious to send Perkins and the wagonette home, and the opportunity -was a good one. I alighted and sent a message to Sir Henry that -I should walk over in time for dinner. Then I followed Frankland -into his dining-room. - -"It is a great day for me, sir--one of the red-letter days of my -life," he cried with many chuckles. "I have brought off a double -event. I mean to teach them in these parts that law is law, and -that there is a man here who does not fear to invoke it. I have -established a right of way through the centre of old Middleton's -park, slap across it, sir, within a hundred yards of his own front -door. What do you think of that? We'll teach these magnates that -they cannot ride roughshod over the rights of the commoners, -confound them! And I've closed the wood where the Fernworthy folk -used to picnic. These infernal people seem to think that there -are no rights of property, and that they can swarm where they like -with their papers and their bottles. Both cases decided Dr. -Watson, and both in my favour. I haven't had such a day since I -had Sir John Morland for trespass because he shot in his own warren." - -"How on earth did you do that?" - -"Look it up in the books, sir. It will repay reading--Frankland -v. Morland, Court of Queen's Bench. It cost me 200 pounds, but -I got my verdict." - -"Did it do you any good?" - -"None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had no interest in -the matter. I act entirely from a sense of public duty. I have -no doubt, for example, that the Fernworthy people will burn me -in effigy tonight. I told the police last time they did it that -they should stop these disgraceful exhibitions. The County -Constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir, and it has not afforded -me the protection to which I am entitled. The case of Frankland -v. Regina will bring the matter before the attention of the -public. I told them that they would have occasion to regret their -treatment of me, and already my words have come true." - -"How so?" I asked. - -The old man put on a very knowing expression. "Because I could -tell them what they are dying to know; but nothing would induce -me to help the rascals in any way." - -I had been casting round for some excuse by which I could get -away from his gossip, but now I began to wish to hear more of it. -I had seen enough of the contrary nature of the old sinner to -understand that any strong sign of interest would be the surest -way to stop his confidences. - -"Some poaching case, no doubt?" said I with an indifferent manner. - -"Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important matter than that! -What about the convict on the moor?" - -I stared. "You don't mean that you know where he is?" said I. - -"I may not know exactly where he is, but I am quite sure that I -could help the police to lay their hands on him. Has it never -struck you that the way to catch that man was to find out where -he got his food and so trace it to him?" - -He certainly seemed to be getting uncomfortably near the truth. -"No doubt," said I; "but how do you know that he is anywhere upon -the moor?" - -"I know it because I have seen with my own eyes the messenger who -takes him his food." - -My heart sank for Barrymore. It was a serious thing to be in the -power of this spiteful old busybody. But his next remark took a -weight from my mind. - -"You'll be surprised to hear that his food is taken to him by a -child. I see him every day through my telescope upon the roof. -He passes along the same path at the same hour, and to whom should -he be going except to the convict?" - -Here was luck indeed! And yet I suppressed all appearance of -interest. A child! Barrymore had said that our unknown was -supplied by a boy. It was on his track, and not upon the convict's, -that Frankland had stumbled. If I could get his knowledge it -might save me a long and weary hunt. But incredulity and -indifference were evidently my strongest cards. - -"I should say that it was much more likely that it was the son -of one of the moorland shepherds taking out his father's dinner." - -The least appearance of opposition struck fire out of the old -autocrat. His eyes looked malignantly at me, and his gray whiskers -bristled like those of an angry cat. - -"Indeed, sir!" said he, pointing out over the wide-stretching -moor. "Do you see that Black Tor over yonder? Well, do you see -the low hill beyond with the thornbush upon it? It is the stoniest -part of the whole moor. Is that a place where a shepherd would -be likely to take his station? Your suggestion, sir, is a most -absurd one." - I meekly answered that I had spoken without knowing all the facts. -My submission pleased him and led him to further confidences. - -"You may be sure, sir, that I have very good grounds before I -come to an opinion. I have seen the boy again and again with -his bundle. Every day, and sometimes twice a day, I have been -able--but wait a moment, Dr. Watson. Do my eyes deceive me, or -is there at the present moment something moving upon that hillside?" - -It was several miles off, but I could distinctly see a small dark -dot against the dull green and gray. - -"Come, sir, come!" cried Frankland, rushing upstairs. "You will -see with your own eyes and judge for yourself." - -The telescope, a formidable instrument mounted upon a tripod, -stood upon the flat leads of the house. Frankland clapped his -eye to it and gave a cry of satisfaction. - -"Quick, Dr. Watson, quick, before he passes over the hill!" - -There he was, sure enough, a small urchin with a little bundle -upon his shoulder, toiling slowly up the hill. When he reached -the crest I saw the ragged uncouth figure outlined for an instant -against the cold blue sky. He looked round him with a furtive -and stealthy air, as one who dreads pursuit. Then he vanished -over the hill. - -"Well! Am I right?" - -"Certainly, there is a boy who seems to have some secret errand." - -"And what the errand is even a county constable could guess. But -not one word shall they have from me, and I bind you to secrecy -also, Dr. Watson. Not a word! You understand!" - -"Just as you wish." - -"They have treated me shamefully--shamefully. When the facts -come out in Frankland v. Regina I venture to think that a thrill -of indignation will run through the country. Nothing would induce -me to help the police in any way. For all they cared it might -have been me, instead of my effigy, which these rascals burned -at the stake. Surely you are not going! You will help me to -empty the decanter in honour of this great occasion!" - -But I resisted all his solicitations and succeeded in dissuading -him from his announced intention of walking home with me. I kept -the road as long as his eye was on me, and then I struck off -across the moor and made for the stony hill over which the boy -had disappeared. Everything was working in my favour, and I swore -that it should not be through lack of energy or perseverance -that I should miss the chance which fortune had thrown in my way. - -The sun was already sinking when I reached the summit of the hill, -and the long slopes beneath me were all golden-green on one side -and gray shadow on the other. A haze lay low upon the farthest -sky-line, out of which jutted the fantastic shapes of Belliver -and Vixen Tor. Over the wide expanse there was no sound and no -movement. One great gray bird, a gull or curlew, soared aloft -in the blue heaven. He and I seemed to be the only living things -between the huge arch of the sky and the desert beneath it. The -barren scene, the sense of loneliness, and the mystery and urgency -of my task all struck a chill into my heart. The boy was nowhere -to be seen. But down beneath me in a cleft of the hills there -was a circle of the old stone huts, and in the middle of them -there was one which retained sufficient roof to act as a screen -against the weather. My heart leaped within me as I saw it. This -must be the burrow where the stranger lurked. At last my foot -was on the threshold of his hiding place--his secret was within -my grasp. - -As I approached the hut, walking as warily as Stapleton would do -when with poised net he drew near the settled butterfly, I satisfied -myself that the place had indeed been used as a habitation. A -vague pathway among the boulders led to the dilapidated opening -which served as a door. All was silent within. The unknown -might be lurking there, or he might be prowling on the moor. My -nerves tingled with the sense of adventure. Throwing aside my -cigarette, I closed my hand upon the butt of my revolver and, -walking swiftly up to the door, I looked in. The place was empty. - -But there were ample signs that I had not come upon a false scent. -This was certainly where the man lived. Some blankets rolled in -a waterproof lay upon that very stone slab upon which neolithic -man had once slumbered. The ashes of a fire were heaped in a -rude grate. Beside it lay some cooking utensils and a bucket -half-full of water. A litter of empty tins showed that the place -had been occupied for some time, and I saw, as my eyes became -accustomed to the checkered light, a pannikin and a half-full -bottle of spirits standing in the corner. In the middle of the -hut a flat stone served the purpose of a table, and upon this -stood a small cloth bundle--the same, no doubt, which I had seen -through the telescope upon the shoulder of the boy. It contained -a loaf of bread, a tinned tongue, and two tins of preserved -peaches. As I set it down again, after having examined it, my -heart leaped to see that beneath it there lay a sheet of paper -with writing upon it. I raised it, and this was what I read, -roughly scrawled in pencil: "Dr. Watson has gone to Coombe Tracey." - -For a minute I stood there with the paper in my hands thinking -out the meaning of this curt message. It was I, then, and not -Sir Henry, who was being dogged by this secret man. He had not -followed me himself, but he had set an agent--the boy, perhaps-- -upon my track, and this was his report. Possibly I had taken no -step since I had been upon the moor which had not been observed -and reported. Always there was this feeling of an unseen force, -a fine net drawn round us with infinite skill and delicacy, -holding us so lightly that it was only at some supreme moment -that one realized that one was indeed entangled in its meshes. - -If there was one report there might be others, so I looked round -the hut in search of them. There was no trace, however, of -anything of the kind, nor could I discover any sign which might -indicate the character or intentions of the man who lived in -this singular place, save that he must be of Spartan habits and -cared little for the comforts of life. When I thought of the -heavy rains and looked at the gaping roof I understood how strong -and immutable must be the purpose which had kept him in that -inhospitable abode. Was he our malignant enemy, or was he by -chance our guardian angel? I swore that I would not leave the -hut until I knew. - -Outside the sun was sinking low and the west was blazing with -scarlet and gold. Its reflection was shot back in ruddy patches -by the distant pools which lay amid the great Grimpen Mire. There -were the two towers of Baskerville Hall, and there a distant blur -of smoke which marked the village of Grimpen. Between the two, -behind the hill, was the house of the Stapletons. All was sweet -and mellow and peaceful in the golden evening light, and yet as -I looked at them my soul shared none of the peace of Nature but -quivered at the vagueness and the terror of that interview which -every instant was bringing nearer. With tingling nerves but a -fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess of the hut and waited -with sombre patience for the coming of its tenant. - -And then at last I heard him. Far away came the sharp clink of -a boot striking upon a stone. Then another and yet another, coming -nearer and nearer. I shrank back into the darkest corner and -cocked the pistol in my pocket, determined not to discover myself -until I had an opportunity of seeing something of the stranger. -There was a long pause which showed that he had stopped. Then -once more the footsteps approached and a shadow fell across the -opening of the hut. - -"It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson," said a well-known voice. -"I really think that you will be more comfortable outside than in." - - - - -Chapter 12 -Death on the Moor - - - -For a moment or two I sat breathless, hardly able to believe my -ears. Then my senses and my voice came back to me, while a -crushing weight of responsibility seemed in an instant to be lifted -from my soul. That cold, incisive, ironical voice could belong -to but one man in all the world. - -"Holmes!" I cried--"Holmes!" - -"Come out," said he, "and please be careful with the revolver." - -I stooped under the rude lintel, and there he sat upon a stone -outside, his gray eyes dancing with amusement as they fell upon -my astonished features. He was thin and worn, but clear and -alert, his keen face bronzed by the sun and roughened by the -wind. In his tweed suit and cloth cap he looked like any other -tourist upon the moor, and he had contrived, with that catlike -love of personal cleanliness which was one of his characteristics, -that his chin should be as smooth and his linen as perfect as if -he were in Baker Street. - -"I never was more glad to see anyone in my life," said I as I -wrung him by the hand. - -"Or more astonished, eh?" - -"Well, I must confess to it." - -"The surprise was not all on one side, I assure you. I had no -idea that you had found my occasional retreat, still less that -you were inside it, until I was within twenty paces of the door." - -"My footprint, I presume?" - -"No, Watson, I fear that I could not undertake to recognize your -footprint amid all the footprints of the world. If you seriously -desire to deceive me you must change your tobacconist; for when -I see the stub of a cigarette marked Bradley, Oxford Street, I -know that my friend Watson is in the neighbourhood. You will see -it there beside the path. You threw it down, no doubt, at that -supreme moment when you charged into the empty hut." - -"Exactly." - -"I thought as much--and knowing your admirable tenacity I was -convinced that you were sitting in ambush, a weapon within reach, -waiting for the tenant to return. So you actually thought that -I was the criminal?" - -"I did not know who you were, but I was determined to find out." - -"Excellent, Watson! And how did you localize me? You saw me, -perhaps, on the night of the convict hunt, when I was so imprudent -as to allow the moon to rise behind me?" - -"Yes, I saw you then." -"And have no doubt searched all the huts until you came to this -one?" - -"No, your boy had been observed, and that gave me a guide where -to look." - -"The old gentleman with the telescope, no doubt. I could not make -it out when first I saw the light flashing upon the lens." He -rose and peeped into the hut. "Ha, I see that Cartwright has -brought up some supplies. What's this paper? So you have been -to Coombe Tracey, have you?" - -"Yes." - -"To see Mrs. Laura Lyons?" - -"Exactly." - -"Well done! Our researches have evidently been running on parallel -lines, and when we unite our results I expect we shall have a -fairly full knowledge of the case." - -"Well, I am glad from my heart that you are here, for indeed the -responsibility and the mystery were both becoming too much for -my nerves. But how in the name of wonder did you come here, and -what have you been doing? I thought that you were in Baker Street -working out that case of blackmailing." - -"That was what I wished you to think." - -"Then you use me, and yet do not trust me!" I cried with some -bitterness. "I think that I have deserved better at your hands, -Holmes." - -"My dear fellow, you have been invaluable to me in this as in -many other cases, and I beg that you will forgive me if I have -seemed to play a trick upon you. In truth, it was partly for -your own sake that I did it, and it was my appreciation of the -danger which you ran which led me to come down and examine the -matter for myself. Had I been with Sir Henry and you it is -confident that my point of view would have been the same as yours, -and my presence would have warned our very formidable opponents -to be on their guard. As it is, I have been able to get about -as I could not possibly have done had I been living in the Hall, -and I remain an unknown factor in the business, ready to throw -in all my weight at a critical moment." - -"But why keep me in the dark?" - -"For you to know could not have helped us and might possibly have -led to my discovery. You would have wished to tell me something, -or in your kindness you would have brought me out some comfort -or other, and so an unnecessary risk would be run. I brought -Cartwright down with me--you remember the little chap at the -express office--and he has seen after my simple wants: a loaf of -bread and a clean collar. What does man want more? He has given -me an extra pair of eyes upon a very active pair of feet, and both -have been invaluable." - -"Then my reports have all been wasted!" --My voice trembled as I -recalled the pains and the pride with which I had composed them. - -Holmes took a bundle of papers from his pocket. - -"Here are your reports, my dear fellow, and very well thumbed, -I assure you. I made excellent arrangements, and they are only -delayed one day upon their way. I must compliment you exceedingly -upon the zeal and the intelligence which you have shown over an -extraordinarily difficult case." - -I was still rather raw over the deception which had been practised -upon me, but the warmth of Holmes's praise drove my anger from -my mind. I felt also in my heart that he was right in what he -said and that it was really best for our purpose that I should -not have known that he was upon the moor. - -"That's better," said he, seeing the shadow rise from my face. -"And now tell me the result of your visit to Mrs. Laura Lyons-- -it was not difficult for me to guess that it was to see her that -you had gone, for I am already aware that she is the one person -in Coombe Tracey who might be of service to us in the matter. -In fact, if you had not gone today it is exceedingly probable -that I should have gone tomorrow." - -The sun had set and dusk was settling over the moor. The air -had turned chill and we withdrew into the hut for warmth. There -sitting together in the twilight, I told Holmes of my conversation -with the lady. So interested was he that I had to repeat some -of it twice before he was satisfied. - -"This is most important," said he when I had concluded. "It fills -up a gap which I had been unable to bridge in this most complex -affair. You are aware, perhaps, that a close intimacy exists -between this lady and the man Stapleton?" - -"I did not know of a close intimacy." - -"There can be no doubt about the matter. They meet, they write, -there is a complete understanding between them. Now, this puts -a very powerful weapon into our hands. If I could only use it -to detach his wife " - -"His wife?" - -"I am giving you some information now, in return for all that you -have given me. The lady who has passed here as Miss Stapleton -is in reality his wife." - -"Good heavens, Holmes! Are you sure of what you say? How could -he have permitted Sir Henry to fall in love with her?" - -"Sir Henry's falling in love could do no harm to anyone except -Sir Henry. He took particular care that Sir Henry did not make -love to her, as you have yourself observed. I repeat that the -lady is his wife and not his sister." - -"But why this elaborate deception?" - -"Because he foresaw that she would be very much more useful to -him in the character of a free woman." - -All my unspoken instincts, my vague suspicions, suddenly took shape -and centred upon the naturalist. In that impassive colourless -man, with his straw hat and his butterfly-net, I seemed to see -something terrible--a creature of infinite patience and craft, -with a smiling face and a murderous heart. - -"It is he, then, who is our enemy--it is he who dogged us in -London?" - -"So I read the riddle." - -"And the warning--it must have come from her!" - -"Exactly." - -The shape of some monstrous villainy, half seen, half guessed, -loomed through the darkness which had girt me so long. - -"But are you sure of this, Holmes? How do you know that the -woman is his wife?" - -"Because he so far forgot himself as to tell you a true piece -of autobiography upon the occasion when he first met you, and -I dare say he has many a time regretted it since. He was once -a schoolmaster in the north of England. Now, there is no one -more easy to trace than a schoolmaster. There are scholastic -agencies by which one may identify any man who has been in the -profession. A little investigation showed me that a school had -come to grief under atrocious circumstances, and that the man who -had owned it--the name was different--had disappeared with his -wife. The descriptions agreed. When I learned that the missing -man was devoted to entomology the identification was complete." - -The darkness was rising, but much was still hidden by the shadows. - -"If this woman is in truth his wife, where does Mrs. Laura Lyons -come in?" I asked. - -"That is one of the points upon which your own researches have -shed a light. Your interview with the lady has cleared the -situation very much. I did not know about a projected divorce -between herself and her husband. In that case, regarding Stapleton -as an unmarried man, she counted no doubt upon becoming his wife." - -"And when she is undeceived?" - -"Why, then we may find the lady of service. It must be our first -duty to see her--both of us--tomorrow. Don't you think, Watson, -that you are away from your charge rather long? Your place should -be at Baskerville Hall." - -The last red streaks had faded away in the west and night had -settled upon the moor. A few faint stars were gleaming in a -violet sky. - -"One last question, Holmes," I said as I rose. "Surely there is -no need of secrecy between you and me. What is the meaning of it -all? What is he after?" - -Holmes's voice sank as he answered: - -"It is murder, Watson--refined, cold-blooded, deliberate murder. -Do not ask me for particulars. My nets are closing upon him, even -as his are upon Sir Henry, and with your help he is already almost -at my mercy. There is but one danger which can threaten us. It -is that he should strike before we are ready to do so. Another -day--two at the most--and I have my case complete, but until then -guard your charge as closely as ever a fond mother watched her -ailing child. Your mission today has justified itself, and yet -I could almost wish that you had not left his side. Hark!" - -A terrible scream--a prolonged yell of horror and anguish burst -out of the silence of the moor. That frightful cry turned the -blood to ice in my veins. - -"Oh, my God!" I gasped. "What is it? What does it mean?" - -Holmes had sprung to his feet, and I saw his dark, athletic outline -at the door of the hut, his shoulders stooping, his head thrust -forward, his face peering into the darkness. - -"Hush!" he whispered. "Hush!" - -The cry had been loud on account of its vehemence, but it had -pealed out from somewhere far off on the shadowy plain. Now it -burst upon our ears, nearer, louder, more urgent than before. - -"Where is it?" Holmes whispered; and I knew from the thrill of -his voice that he, the man of iron, was shaken to the soul. -"Where is it, Watson?" - -"There, I think." I pointed into the darkness. - -"No, there!" - -Again the agonized cry swept through the silent night, louder -and much nearer than ever. And a new sound mingled with it, a -deep, muttered rumble, musical and yet menacing, rising and falling -like the low, constant murmur of the sea. - -"The hound!" cried Holmes. "Come, Watson, come! Great heavens, -if we are too late!" - -He had started running swiftly over the moor, and I had followed -at his heels. But now from somewhere among the broken ground -immediately in front of us there came one last despairing yell, -and then a dull, heavy thud. We halted and listened. Not another -sound broke the heavy silence of the windless night. - -I saw Holmes put his hand to his forehead like a man distracted. -He stamped his feet upon the ground. - -"He has beaten us, Watson. We are too late." - -"No, no, surely not!" - -"Fool that I was to hold my hand. And you, Watson, see what comes -of abandoning your charge! But, by Heaven, if the worst has -happened we'll avenge him!" - -Blindly we ran through the gloom, blundering against boulders, -forcing our way through gorse bushes, panting up hills and rushing -down slopes, heading always in the direction whence those dreadful -sounds had come. At every rise Holmes looked eagerly round him, -but the shadows were thick upon the moor, and nothing moved upon -its dreary face. - -"Can you see anything?" - -"Nothing." - -"But, hark, what is that?" - -A low moan had fallen upon our ears. There it was again upon -our left! On that side a ridge of rocks ended in a sheer cliff -which overlooked a stone-strewn slope. On its jagged face was -spread-eagled some dark, irregular object. As we ran towards it -the vague outline hardened into a definite shape. It was a -prostrate man face downward upon the ground, the head doubled -under him at a horrible angle, the shoulders rounded and the body -hunched together as if in the act of throwing a somersault. So -grotesque was the attitude that I could not for the instant realize -that that moan had been the passing of his soul. Not a whisper, -not a rustle, rose now from the dark figure over which we stooped. -Holmes laid his hand upon him and held it up again with an -exclamation of horror. The gleam of the match which he struck -shone upon his clotted fingers and upon the ghastly pool which -widened slowly from the crushed skull of the victim. And it shone -upon something else which turned our hearts sick and faint within -us--the body of Sir Henry Baskerville! - -There was no chance of either of us forgetting that peculiar ruddy -tweed suit--the very one which he had worn on the first morning -that we had seen him in Baker Street. We caught the one clear -glimpse of it, and then the match flickered and went out, even -as the hope had gone out of our souls. Holmes groaned, and his -face glimmered white through the darkness. - -"The brute! The brute!" I cried with clenched hands. "Oh Holmes, -I shall never forgive myself for having left him to his fate." - -"I am more to blame than you, Watson. In order to have my case -well rounded and complete, I have thrown away the life of my -client. It is the greatest blow which has befallen me in my -career. But how could I know--how could l know--that he would -risk his life alone upon the moor in the face of all my warnings?" - -"That we should have heard his screams--my God, those screams!--and -yet have been unable to save him! Where is this brute of a hound -which drove him to his death? It may be lurking among these rocks -at this instant. And Stapleton, where is he? He shall answer -for this deed." - -"He shall. I will see to that. Uncle and nephew have been -murdered--the one frightened to death by the very sight of a -beast which he thought to be supernatural, the other driven to -his end in his wild flight to escape from it. But now we have -to prove the connection between the man and the beast. Save from -what we heard, we cannot even swear to the existence of the latter, -since Sir Henry has evidently died from the fall. But, by heavens, -cunning as he is, the fellow shall be in my power before another -day is past!" - -We stood with bitter hearts on either side of the mangled body, -overwhelmed by this sudden and irrevocable disaster which had -brought all our long and weary labours to so piteous an end. -Then as the moon rose we climbed to the top of the rocks over -which our poor friend had fallen, and from the summit we gazed -out over the shadowy moor, half silver and half gloom. Far away, -miles off, in the direction of Grimpen, a single steady yellow -light was shining. It could only come from the lonely abode of -the Stapletons. With a bitter curse I shook my fist at it as I -gazed. - -"Why should we not seize him at once?" - -"Our case is not complete. The fellow is wary and cunning to the -last degree. It is not what we know, but what we can prove. If -we make one false move the villain may escape us yet." - -"What can we do?" - -"There will be plenty for us to do tomorrow. Tonight we can only -perform the last offices to our poor friend." - -Together we made our way down the precipitous slope and approached -the body, black and clear against the silvered stones. The agony -of those contorted limbs struck me with a spasm of pain and -blurred my eyes with tears. - -"We must send for help, Holmes! We cannot carry him all the way -to the Hall. Good heavens, are you mad?" - -He had uttered a cry and bent over the body. Now he was dancing -and laughing and wringing my hand. Could this be my stern, self- -contained friend? These were hidden fires, indeed! - -"A beard! A beard! The man has a beard!" - -"A beard?" - -"It is not the baronet--it is--why, it is my neighbour, the convict!" - -With feverish haste we had turned the body over, and that dripping -beard was pointing up to the cold, clear moon. There could be no -doubt about the beetling forehead, the sunken animal eyes. It -was indeed the same face which had glared upon me in the light -of the candle from over the rock--the face of Selden, the criminal. - -Then in an instant it was all clear to me. I remembered how the -baronet had told me that he had handed his old wardrobe to -Barrymore. Barrymore had passed it on in order to help Selden -in his escape. Boots, shirt, cap--it was all Sir Henry's. The -tragedy was still black enough, but this man had at least deserved -death by the laws of his country. I told Holmes how the matter -stood, my heart bubbling over with thankfulness and joy. - -"Then the clothes have been the poor devil's death," said he. -"It is clear enough that the hound has been laid on from some -article of Sir Henry's--the boot which was abstracted in the -hotel, in all probability--and so ran this man down. There is -one very singular thing, however: How came Selden, in the darkness, -to know that the hound was on his trail?" - -"He heard him." - -"To hear a hound upon the moor would not work a hard man like this -convict into such a paroxysm of terror that he would risk recapture -by screaming wildly for help. By his cries he must have run a -long way after he knew the animal was on his track. How did he know?" - -"A greater mystery to me is why this hound, presuming that all -our conjectures are correct--" - -"I presume nothing." - -"Well, then, why this hound should be loose tonight. I suppose -that it does not always run loose upon the moor. Stapleton would -not let it go unless he had reason to think that Sir Henry would -be there." - -"My difficulty is the more formidable of the two, for I think that -we shall very shortly get an explanation of yours, while mine may -remain forever a mystery. The question now is, what shall we do -with this poor wretch's body? We cannot leave it here to the -foxes and the ravens." - -"I suggest that we put it in one of the huts until we can -communicate with the police." - -"Exactly. I have no doubt that you and I could carry it so far. -Halloa, Watson, what's this? It's the man himself, by all that's -wonderful and audacious! Not a word to show your suspicions--not -a word, or my plans crumble to the ground." - -A figure was approaching us over the moor, and I saw the dull red -glow of a cigar. The moon shone upon him, and I could distinguish -the dapper shape and jaunty walk of the naturalist. He stopped -when he saw us, and then came on again. - -"Why, Dr. Watson, that's not you, is it? You are the last man -that I should have expected to see out on the moor at this time -of night. But, dear me, what's this? Somebody hurt? Not--don't -tell me that it is our friend Sir Henry!" He hurried past me and -stooped over the dead man. I heard a sharp intake of his breath -and the cigar fell from his fingers. - -"Who--who's this?" he stammered. - -"It is Selden, the man who escaped from Princetown." - -Stapleton turned a ghastly face upon us, but by a supreme effort he -had overcome his amazement and his disappointment. He looked -sharply from Holmes to me. "Dear me! What a very shocking affair! -How did he die?" - -"He appears to have broken his neck by falling over these rocks. -My friend and I were strolling on the moor when we heard a cry." - -"I heard a cry also. That was what brought me out. I was uneasy -about Sir Henry." - -"Why about Sir Henry in particular?" I could not help asking. - -"Because I had suggested that he should come over. When he did -not come I was surprised, and I naturally became alarmed for his -safety when I heard cries upon the moor. By the way"--his eyes -darted again from my face to Holmes's--"did you hear anything -else besides a cry?" - -"No," said Holmes; "did you?" - -"No." - -"What do you mean, then?" - -"Oh, you know the stories that the peasants tell about a phantom -hound, and so on. It is said to be heard at night upon the moor. -I was wondering if there were any evidence of such a sound tonight." - -"We heard nothing of the kind," said I. - -"And what is your theory of this poor fellow's death?" - -"I have no doubt that anxiety and exposure have driven him off -his head. He has rushed about the moor in a crazy state and -eventually fallen over here and broken his neck." - -"That seems the most reasonable theory," said Stapleton, and he -gave a sigh which I took to indicate his relief. "What do you -think about it, Mr. Sherlock Holmes?" - -My friend bowed his compliments. "You are quick at identification," -said he. - -"We have been expecting you in these parts since Dr. Watson came -down. You are in time to see a tragedy." - -"Yes, indeed. I have no doubt that my friend's explanation will -cover the facts. I will take an unpleasant remembrance back to -London with me tomorrow." - -"Oh, you return tomorrow?" - -"That is my intention." - -"I hope your visit has cast some light upon those occurrences which -have puzzled us?" - -Holmes shrugged his shoulders. - -"One cannot always have the success for which one hopes. An -investigator needs facts and not legends or rumours. It has not -been a satisfactory case." - -My friend spoke in his frankest and most unconcerned manner. -Stapleton still looked hard at him. Then he turned to me. - -"I would suggest carrying this poor fellow to my house, but it -would give my sister such a fright that I do not feel justified -in doing it. I think that if we put something over his face he -will be safe until morning." - -And so it was arranged. Resisting Stapleton's offer of hospitality, -Holmes and I set off to Baskerville Hall, leaving the naturalist -to return alone. Looking back we saw the figure moving slowly -away over the broad moor, and behind him that one black smudge -on the silvered slope which showed where the man was lying who -had come so horribly to his end. - - - - -Chapter 13 -Fixing the Nets - - - -"We're at close grips at last," said Holmes as we walked together -across the moor. "What a nerve the fellow has! How he pulled -himself together in the face of what must have been a paralyzing -shock when he found that the wrong man had fallen a victim to his -plot. I told you in London, Watson, and I tell you now again, -that we have never had a foeman more worthy of our steel." - -"I am sorry that he has seen you." - -"And so was I at first. But there was no getting out of it." - -"What effect do you think it will have upon his plans now that -he knows you are here?" - -"It may cause him to be more cautious, or it may drive him to -desperate measures at once. Like most clever criminals, he may -be too confident in his own cleverness and imagine that he has -completely deceived us." - -"Why should we not arrest him at once?" - -"My dear Watson, you were born to be a man of action. Your -instinct is always to do something energetic. But supposing, -for argument's sake, that we had him arrested tonight, what on -earth the better off should we be for that? We could prove -nothing against him. There's the devilish cunning of it! If he -were acting through a human agent we could get some evidence, -but if we were to drag this great dog to the light of day it would -not help us in putting a rope round the neck of its master." - -"Surely we have a case." - -"Not a shadow of one--only surmise and conjecture. We should be -laughed out of court if we came with such a story and such evidence." - -"There is Sir Charles's death." - -"Found dead without a mark upon him. You and I know that he died -of sheer fright, and we know also what frightened him but how are -we to get twelve stolid jurymen to know it? What signs are there -of a hound? Where are the marks of its fangs? Of course we know -that a hound does not bite a dead body and that Sir Charles was -dead before ever the brute overtook him. But we have to prove -all this, and we are not in a position to do it." - -"Well, then, tonight?" - -"We are not much better off tonight. Again, there was no direct -connection between the hound and the man's death. We never saw -the hound. We heard it, but we could not prove that it was -running upon this man's trail. There is a complete absence of -motive. No, my dear fellow; we must reconcile ourselves to the -fact that we have no case at present, and that it is worth our -while to run any risk in order to establish one." - -"And how do you propose to do so?" - "I have great hopes of what Mrs. Laura Lyons may do for us when -the position of affairs is made clear to her. And I have my own -plan as well. Sufficient for tomorrow is the evil thereof; but -I hope before the day is past to have the upper hand at last." - -I could draw nothing further from him, and he walked, lost in -thought, as far as the Baskerville gates. - -"Are you coming up?" - -"Yes; I see no reason for further concealment. But one last -word, Watson. Say nothing of the hound to Sir Henry. Let him -think that Selden's death was as Stapleton would have us believe. -He will have a better nerve for the ordeal which he will have to -undergo tomorrow, when he is engaged, if I remember your report -aright, to dine with these people." - -"And so am I." - -"Then you must excuse yourself and he must go alone. That will -be easily arranged. And now, if we are too late for dinner, I -think that we are both ready for our suppers." - -Sir Henry was more pleased than surprised to see Sherlock Holmes, -for he had for some days been expecting that recent events would -bring him down from London. He did raise his eyebrows, however, -when he found that my friend had neither any luggage nor any -explanations for its absence. Between us we soon supplied his -wants, and then over a belated supper we explained to the baronet -as much of our experience as it seemed desirable that he should -know. But first I had the unpleasant duty of breaking the news -to Barrymore and his wife. To him it may have been an unmitigated -relief, but she wept bitterly in her apron. To all the world he -was the man of violence, half animal and half demon; but to her -he always remained the little wilful boy of her own girlhood, the -child who had clung to her hand. Evil indeed is the man who has -not one woman to mourn him. - -"I've been moping in the house all day since Watson went off in -the morning," said the baronet. "I guess I should have some -credit, for I have kept my promise. If I hadn't sworn not to go -about alone I might have had a more lively evening, for I had a -message from Stapleton asking me over there." - -"I have no doubt that you would have had a more lively evening," -said Holmes drily. "By the way, I don't suppose you appreciate -that we have been mourning over you as having broken your neck?" - -Sir Henry opened his eyes. "How was that?" - -"This poor wretch was dressed in your clothes. I fear your servant -who gave them to him may get into trouble with the police." - -"That is unlikely. There was no mark on any of them, as far as -I know." - -"That's lucky for him--in fact, it's lucky for all of you, since -you are all on the wrong side of the law in this matter. I am -not sure that as a conscientious detective my first duty is not -to arrest the whole household. Watson's reports are most -incriminating documents." - -"But how about the case?" asked the baronet. "Have you made -anything out of the tangle? I don't know that Watson and I are -much the wiser since we came down." - -"I think that I shall be in a position to make the situation rather -more clear to you before long. It has been an exceedingly difficult -and most complicated business. There are several points upon which -we still want light--but it is coming all the same." - -"We've had one experience, as Watson has no doubt told you. We -heard the hound on the moor, so I can swear that it is not all -empty superstition. I had something to do with dogs when I was -out West, and I know one when I hear one. If you can muzzle that -one and put him on a chain I'll be ready to swear you are the -greatest detective of all time." - -"I think I will muzzle him and chain him all right if you will -give me your help." - -"Whatever you tell me to do I will do." - -"Very good; and I will ask you also to do it blindly, without -always asking the reason." - -"Just as you like." - -"If you will do this I think the chances are that our little -problem will soon be solved. I have no doubt " - -He stopped suddenly and stared fixedly up over my head into the -air. The lamp beat upon his face, and so intent was it and so -still that it might have been that of a clear-cut classical statue, -a personification of alertness and expectation. - -"What is it?" we both cried. - -I could see as he looked down that he was repressing some internal -emotion. His features were still composed, but his eyes shone with -amused exultation. - -"Excuse the admiration of a connoisseur," said he as he waved -his hand towards the line of portraits which covered the opposite -wall. "Watson won't allow that I know anything of art but that -is mere jealousy because our views upon the subject differ. Now, -these are a really very fine series of portraits." - -"Well, I'm glad to hear you say so," said Sir Henry, glancing -with some surprise at my friend. "I don't pretend to know much -about these things, and I'd be a better judge of a horse or a -steer than of a picture. I didn't know that you found time for -such things." - -"I know what is good when I see it, and I see it now. That's a -Kneller, I'll swear, that lady in the blue silk over yonder, and -the stout gentleman with the wig ought to be a Reynolds. They -are all family portraits, I presume?" - -"Every one." - -"Do you know the names?" - -"Barrymore has been coaching me in them, and I think I can say -my lessons fairly well." - -"Who is the gentleman with the telescope?" - -"That is Rear-Admiral Baskerville, who served under Rodney in the -West Indies. The man with the blue coat and the roll of paper -is Sir William Baskerville, who was Chairman of Committees of the -House of Commons under Pitt." - -"And this Cavalier opposite to me--the one with the black velvet -and the lace?" - -"Ah, you have a right to know about him. That is the cause of -all the mischief, the wicked Hugo, who started the Hound of the -Baskervilles. We're not likely to forget him." - -I gazed with interest and some surprise upon the portrait. - -"Dear me!" said Holmes, "he seems a quiet, meek-mannered man -enough, but I dare say that there was a lurking devil in his eyes. -I had pictured him as a more robust and ruffianly person." - -"There's no doubt about the authenticity, for the name and the -date, 1647, are on the back of the canvas." - -Holmes said little more, but the picture of the old roysterer -seemed to have a fascination for him, and his eyes were continually -fixed upon it during supper. It was not until later, when Sir -Henry had gone to his room, that I was able to follow the trend -of his thoughts. He led me back into the banqueting-hall, his -bedroom candle in his hand, and he held it up against the time- -stained portrait on the wall. - -"Do you see anything there?" - -I looked at the broad plumed hat, the curling love-locks, the -white lace collar, and the straight, severe face which was framed -between them. It was not a brutal countenance, but it was prim -hard, and stern, with a firm-set, thin-lipped mouth, and a coldly -intolerant eye. - -"Is it like anyone you know?" - -"There is something of Sir Henry about the jaw." - -"Just a suggestion, perhaps. But wait an instant!" He stood upon -a chair, and, holding up the light in his left hand, he curved -his right arm over the broad hat and round the long ringlets. - -"Good heavens!" I cried in amazement. - -The face of Stapleton had sprung out of the canvas. - -"Ha, you see it now. My eyes have been trained to examine faces -and not their trimmings. It is the first quality of a criminal -investigator that he should see through a disguise." - -"But this is marvellous. It might be his portrait." - -"Yes, it is an interesting instance of a throwback, which appears -to be both physical and spiritual. A study of family portraits -is enough to convert a man to the doctrine of reincarnation. The -fellow is a Baskerville--that is evident." - -"With designs upon the succession." - -"Exactly. This chance of the picture has supplied us with one of -our most obvious missing links. We have him, Watson, we have him, -and I dare swear that before tomorrow night he will be fluttering -in our net as helpless as one of his own butterflies. A pin, a -cork, and a card, and we add him to the Baker Street collection!" -He burst into one of his rare fits of laughter as he turned away -from the picture. I have not heard him laugh often, and it has -always boded ill to somebody. - -I was up betimes in the morning, but Holmes was afoot earlier -still, for I saw him as I dressed, coming up the drive. - -"Yes, we should have a full day today," he remarked, and he rubbed -his hands with the joy of action. "The nets are all in place, -and the drag is about to begin. We'll know before the day is out -whether we have caught our big, leanjawed pike, or whether he -has got through the meshes." - -"Have you been on the moor already?" - -"I have sent a report from Grimpen to Princetown as to the death -of Selden. I think I can promise that none of you will be troubled -in the matter. And I have also communicated with my faithful -Cartwright, who would certainly have pined away at the door of -my hut, as a dog does at his master's grave, if I had not set -his mind at rest about my safety." - -"What is the next move?" - -"To see Sir Henry. Ah, here he is!" - -"Good-morning, Holmes," said the baronet. "You look like a general -who is planning a battle with his chief of the staff." - -"That is the exact situation. Watson was asking for orders." - -"And so do I." - -"Very good. You are engaged, as I understand, to dine with our -friends the Stapletons tonight." - -"I hope that you will come also. They are very hospitable people, -and I am sure that they would be very glad to see you." - -"I fear that Watson and I must go to London." - -"To London?" - -"Yes, I think that we should be more useful there at the present -juncture." - -The baronet's face perceptibly lengthened. - -"I hoped that you were going to see me through this business. -The Hall and the moor are not very pleasant places when one is -alone." - -"My dear fellow, you must trust me implicitly and do exactly what -I tell you. You can tell your friends that we should have been -happy to have come with you, but that urgent business required -us to be in town. We hope very soon to return to Devonshire. -Will you remember to give them that message?" - -"If you insist upon it." - -"There is no alternative, I assure you." - -I saw by the baronet's clouded brow that he was deeply hurt by -what he regarded as our desertion. - -"When do you desire to go?" he asked coldly. - -"Immediately after breakfast. We will drive in to Coombe Tracey, -but Watson will leave his things as a pledge that he will come -back to you. Watson, you will send a note to Stapleton to tell -him that you regret that you cannot come." - -"I have a good mind to go to London with you," said the baronet. -"Why should I stay here alone?" - -"Because it is your post of duty. Because you gave me your word -that you would do as you were told, and I tell you to stay." - -"All right, then, I'll stay." - -"One more direction! I wish you to drive to Merripit House. Send -back your trap, however, and let them know that you intend to -walk home." - -"To walk across the moor?" - -"Yes." - -"But that is the very thing which you have so often cautioned me -not to do." - -"This time you may do it with safety. If I had not every confidence -in your nerve and courage I would not suggest it, but it is essential -that you should do it." - -"Then I will do it." - -"And as you value your life do not go across the moor in any -direction save along the straight path which leads from Merripit -House to the Grimpen Road, and is your natural way home." - -"I will do just what you say." - -"Very good. I should be glad to get away as soon after breakfast -as possible, so as to reach London in the afternoon." - -I was much astounded by this programme, though I remembered that -Holmes had said to Stapleton on the night before that his visit -would terminate next day. It had not crossed my mind however, -that he would wish me to go with him, nor could I understand how -we could both be absent at a moment which he himself declared to -be critical. There was nothing for it, however, but implicit -obedience; so we bade good-bye to our rueful friend, and a couple -of hours afterwards we were at the station of Coombe Tracey and -had dispatched the trap upon its return journey. A small boy was -waiting upon the platform. - -"Any orders, sir?" - -"You will take this train to town, Cartwright. The moment you -arrive you will send a wire to Sir Henry Baskerville, in my name, -to say that if he finds the pocketbook which I have dropped he -is to send it by registered post to Baker Street." - -"Yes, sir." - -"And ask at the station office if there is a message for me." - -The boy returned with a telegram, which Holmes handed to me. It -ran: - -Wire received. Coming down with unsigned warrant. Arrive five- -forty. Lestrade. - -"That is in answer to mine of this morning. He is the best of -the professionals, I think, and we may need his assistance. Now, -Watson, I think that we cannot employ our time better than by -calling upon your acquaintance, Mrs. Laura Lyons." - -His plan of campaign was beginning to be evident. He would use -the baronet in order to convince the Stapletons that we were really -gone, while we should actually return at the instant when we were -likely to be needed. That telegram from London, if mentioned by -Sir Henry to the Stapletons, must remove the last suspicions from -their minds. Already I seemed to see our nets drawing closer -around that leanjawed pike. - -Mrs. Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sherlock Holmes opened -his interview with a frankness and directness which considerably -amazed her. - -"I am investigating the circumstances which attended the death -of the late Sir Charles Baskerville," said he. "My friend here, -Dr. Watson, has informed me of what you have communicated, and -also of what you have withheld in connection with that matter." - -"What have I withheld?" she asked defiantly. - -"You have confessed that you asked Sir Charles to be at the gate -at ten o'clock. We know that that was the place and hour of his -death. You have withheld what the connection is between these -events." - -"There is no connection." - -"In that case the coincidence must indeed be an extraordinary one. -But I think that we shall succeed in establishing a connection, -after all. I wish to be perfectly frank with you, Mrs. Lyons. -We regard this case as one of murder, and the evidence may implicate -not only your friend Mr. Stapleton but his wife as well." - -The lady sprang from her chair. - -"His wife!" she cried. - -"The fact is no longer a secret. The person who has passed for -his sister is really his wife." - -Mrs. Lyons had resumed her seat. Her hands were grasping the arms -of her chair, and I saw that the pink nails had turned white with -the pressure of her grip. - -"His wife!" she said again. "His wife! He is not a married man." - -Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders. - -"Prove it to me! Prove it to me! And if you can do so--!" - -The fierce flash of her eyes said more than any words. - -"I have come prepared to do so," said Holmes, drawing several papers -from his pocket. "Here is a photograph of the couple taken in -York four years ago. It is indorsed 'Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur,' -but you will have no difficulty in recognizing him, and her also, -if you know her by sight. Here are three written descriptions -by trustworthy witnesses of Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur, who at that -time kept St. Oliver's private school. Read them and see if you -can doubt the identity of these people." - -She glanced at them, and then looked up at us with the set rigid -face of a desperate woman. - -"Mr. Holmes," she said, "this man had offered me marriage on -condition that I could get a divorce from my husband. He has -lied to me, the villain, in every conceivable way. Not one word -of truth has he ever told me. And why--why? I imagined that all -was for my own sake. But now I see that I was never anything -but a tool in his hands. Why should I preserve faith with him -who never kept any with me? Why should I try to shield him from -the consequences of his own wicked acts? Ask me what you like, -and there is nothing which I shall hold back. One thing I swear -to you, and that is that when I wrote the letter I never dreamed -of any harm to the old gentleman, who had been my kindest friend." - -"I entirely believe you, madam," said Sherlock Holmes. "The -recital of these events must be very painful to you, and perhaps -it will make it easier if I tell you what occurred, and you can -check me if I make any material mistake. The sending of this -letter was suggested to you by Stapleton?" - -"He dictated it." - -"I presume that the reason he gave was that you would receive -help from Sir Charles for the legal expenses connected with -your divorce?" - -"Exactly." - -"And then after you had sent the letter he dissuaded you from -keeping the appointment?" - -"He told me that it would hurt his self-respect that any other -man should find the money for such an object, and that though -he was a poor man himself he would devote his last penny to -removing the obstacles which divided us." - -"He appears to be a very consistent character. And then you heard -nothing until you read the reports of the death in the paper?" - -"No." - -"And he made you swear to say nothing about your appointment with -Sir Charles?" - -"He did. He said that the death was a very mysterious one, and -that I should certainly be suspected if the facts came out. He -frightened me into remaining silent." - -"Quite so. But you had your suspicions?" - -She hesitated and looked down. - -"I knew him," she said. "But if he had kept faith with me I should -always have done so with him." - -"I think that on the whole you have had a fortunate escape," said -Sherlock Holmes. "You have had him in your power and he knew it, -and yet you are alive. You have been walking for some months very -near to the edge of a precipice. We must wish you good-morning -now, Mrs. Lyons, and it is probable that you will very shortly -hear from us again." - -"Our case becomes rounded off, and difficulty after difficulty -thins away in front of us," said Holmes as we stood waiting for -the arrival of the express from town. "I shall soon be in the -position of being able to put into a single connected narrative -one of the most singular and sensational crimes of modern times. -Students of criminology will remember the analogous incidents in -Godno, in Little Russia, in the year '66, and of course there are -the Anderson murders in North Carolina, but this case possesses -some features which are entirely its own. Even now we have no -clear case against this very wily man. But I shall be very much -surprised if it is not clear enough before we go to bed this night." - -The London express came roaring into the station, and a small, -wiry bulldog of a man had sprung from a first-class carriage. -We all three shook hands, and I saw at once from the reverential -way in which Lestrade gazed at my companion that he had learned -a good deal since the days when they had first worked together. -I could well remember the scorn which the theories of the reasoner -used then to excite in the practical man. - -"Anything good?" he asked. - -"The biggest thing for years," said Holmes. "We have two hours -before we need think of starting. I think we might employ it in -getting some dinner and then, Lestrade, we will take the London -fog out of your throat by giving you a breath of the pure night -air of Dartmoor. Never been there? Ah, well, I don't suppose -you will forget your first visit." - - - - -Chapter 14 -The Hound of the Baskervilles - - - -One of Sherlock Holmes's defects--if, indeed, one may call it a -defect--was that he was exceedingly loath to communicate his full -plans to any other person until the instant of their fulfilment. -Partly it came no doubt from his own masterful nature, which loved -to dominate and surprise those who were around him. Partly also -from his professional caution, which urged him never to take any -chances. The result, however, was very trying for those who were -acting as his agents and assistants. I had often suffered under -it, but never more so than during that long drive in the darkness. -The great ordeal was in front of us; at last we were about to make -our final effort, and yet Holmes had said nothing, and I could only -surmise what his course of action would be. My nerves thrilled -with anticipation when at last the cold wind upon our faces and -the dark, void spaces on either side of the narrow road told me -that we were back upon the moor once again. Every stride of the -horses and every turn of the wheels was taking us nearer to our -supreme adventure. - -Our conversation was hampered by the presence of the driver of -the hired wagonette, so that we were forced to talk of trivial -matters when our nerves were tense with emotion and anticipation. -It was a relief to me, after that unnatural restraint, when we at -last passed Frankland's house and knew that we were drawing near -to the Hall and to the scene of action. We did not drive up to -the door but got down near the gate of the avenue. The wagonette -was paid off and ordered to return to Coombe Tracey forthwith, -while we started to walk to Merripit House. - -"Are you armed, Lestrade?" - -The little detective smiled. "As long as I have my trousers I -have a hip-pocket, and as long as I have my hip-pocket I have -something in it." - -"Good! My friend and I are also ready for emergencies." - -"You're mighty close about this affair, Mr. Holmes. What's the -game now?" - -"A waiting game." - -"My word, it does not seem a very cheerful place," said the -detective with a shiver, glancing round him at the gloomy slopes -of the hill and at the huge lake of fog which lay over the Grimpen -Mire. "I see the lights of a house ahead of us." - -"That is Merripit House and the end of our journey. I must -request you to walk on tiptoe and not to talk above a whisper." - -We moved cautiously along the track as if we were bound for the -house, but Holmes halted us when we were about two hundred yards -from it. - -"This will do," said he. "These rocks upon the right make an -admirable screen." - -"We are to wait here?" - -"Yes, we shall make our little ambush here. Get into this hollow, -Lestrade. You have been inside the house, have you not, Watson? -Can you tell the position of the rooms? What are those latticed -windows at this end?" - -"I think they are the kitchen windows." - -"And the one beyond, which shines so brightly?" - -"That is certainly the dining-room." - -"The blinds are up. You know the lie of the land best. Creep -forward quietly and see what they are doing--but for heaven's -sake don't let them know that they are watched!" - -I tiptoed down the path and stooped behind the low wall which -surrounded the stunted orchard. Creeping in its shadow I reached -a point whence I could look straight through the uncurtained window. - -There were only two men in the room, Sir Henry and Stapleton. -They sat with their profiles towards me on either side of the -round table. Both of them were smoking cigars, and coffee and -wine were in front of them. Stapleton was talking with animation, -but the baronet looked pale and distrait. Perhaps the thought -of that lonely walk across the ill-omened moor was weighing heavily -upon his mind. - -As I watched them Stapleton rose and left the room, while Sir Henry -filled his glass again and leaned back in his chair, puffing at -his cigar. I heard the creak of a door and the crisp sound of -boots upon gravel. The steps passed along the path on the other -side of the wall under which I crouched. Looking over, I saw the -naturalist pause at the door of an out-house in the corner of the -orchard. A key turned in a lock, and as he passed in there was -a curious scuffling noise from within. He was only a minute or -so inside, and then I heard the key turn once more and he passed -me and reentered the house. I saw him rejoin his guest, and I -crept quietly back to where my companions were waiting to tell -them what I had seen. - "You say, Watson, that the lady is not there?" Holmes asked when -I had finished my report. - -"No." - -"Where can she be, then, since there is no light in any other -room except the kitchen?" - -"I cannot think where she is." - -I have said that over the great Grimpen Mire there hung a dense, -white fog. It was drifting slowly in our direction and banked -itself up like a wall on that side of us, low but thick and well -defined. The moon shone on it, and it looked like a great -shimmering ice-field, with the heads of the distant tors as rocks -borne upon its surface. Holmes's face was turned towards it, and -he muttered impatiently as he watched its sluggish drift. - -"It's moving towards us, Watson." - -"Is that serious?" - -"Very serious, indeed--the one thing upon earth which could have -disarranged my plans. He can't be very long, now. It is already -ten o'clock. Our success and even his life may depend upon his -coming out before the fog is over the path." - -The night was clear and fine above us. The stars shone cold and -bright, while a half-moon bathed the whole scene in a soft, -uncertain light. Before us lay the dark bulk of the house, -its serrated roof and bristling chimneys hard outlined against -the silver-spangled sky. Broad bars of golden light from the -lower windows stretched across the orchard and the moor. One -of them was suddenly shut off. The servants had left the kitchen. -There only remained the lamp in the dining-room where the two men, -the murderous host and the unconscious guest, still chatted over -their cigars. - -Every minute that white woolly plain which covered one-half of -the moor was drifting closer and closer to the house. Already -the first thin wisps of it were curling across the golden square -of the lighted window. The farther wall of the orchard was already -invisible, and the trees were standing out of a swirl of white -vapour. As we watched it the fog-wreaths came crawling round both -corners of the house and rolled slowly into one dense bank on -which the upper floor and the roof floated like a strange ship -upon a shadowy sea. Holmes struck his hand passionately upon the -rock in front of us and stamped his feet in his impatience. - -"If he isn't out in a quarter of an hour the path will be covered. -In half an hour we won't be able to see our hands in front of us." - -"Shall we move farther back upon higher ground?" - -"Yes, I think it would be as well." - -So as the fog-bank flowed onward we fell back before it until we -were half a mile from the house, and still that dense white sea, -with the moon silvering its upper edge, swept slowly and inexorably -on. - -"We are going too far," said Holmes. "We dare not take the chance -of his being overtaken before he can reach us. At all costs we -must hold our ground where we are." He dropped on his knees and -clapped his ear to the ground. "Thank God, I think that I hear -him coming." - -A sound of quick steps broke the silence of the moor. Crouching -among the stones we stared intently at the silver-tipped bank in -front of us. The steps grew louder, and through the fog, as -through a curtain, there stepped the man whom we were awaiting. -He looked round him in surprise as he emerged into the clear, -starlit night. Then he came swiftly along the path, passed close -to where we lay, and went on up the long slope behind us. As he -walked he glanced continually over either shoulder, like a man -who is ill at ease. - -"Hist!" cried Holmes, and I heard the sharp click of a cocking -pistol. "Look out! It's coming!" - -There was a thin, crisp, continuous patter from somewhere in the -heart of that crawling bank. The cloud was within fifty yards -of where we lay, and we glared at it, all three, uncertain what -horror was about to break from the heart of it. I was at Holmes's -elbow, and I glanced for an instant at his face. It was pale and -exultant, his eyes shining brightly in the moonlight. But suddenly -they started forward in a rigid, fixed stare, and his lips parted -in amazement. At the same instant Lestrade gave a yell of terror -and threw himself face downward upon the ground. I sprang to my -feet, my inert hand grasping my pistol, my mind paralyzed by the -dreadful shape which had sprung out upon us from the shadows of -the fog. A hound it was, an enormous coal-black hound, but not -such a hound as mortal eyes have ever seen. Fire burst from its -open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smouldering glare, its muzzle -and hackles and dewlap were outlined in flickering flame. Never -in the delirious dream of a disordered brain could anything more -savage, more appalling, more hellish be conceived than that dark -form and savage face which broke upon us out of the wall of fog. - -With long bounds the huge black creature was leaping down the -track, following hard upon the footsteps of our friend. So -paralyzed were we by the apparition that we allowed him to pass -before we had recovered our nerve. Then Holmes and I both fired -together, and the creature gave a hideous howl, which showed that -one at least had hit him. He did not pause, however, but bounded -onward. Far away on the path we saw Sir Henry looking back, his -face white in the moonlight, his hands raised in horror, glaring -helplessly at the frightful thing which was hunting him down. -But that cry of pain from the hound had blown all our fears to -the winds. If he was vulnerable he was mortal, and if we could -wound him we could kill him. Never have I seen a man run as Holmes -ran that night. I am reckoned fleet of foot, but he outpaced me -as much as I outpaced the little professional. In front of us as -we flew up the track we heard scream after scream from Sir Henry -and the deep roar of the hound. I was in time to see the beast -spring upon its victim, hurl him to the ground, and worry at his -throat. But the next instant Holmes had emptied five barrels of -his revolver into the creature's flank. With a last howl of agony -and a vicious snap in the air, it rolled upon its back, four feet -pawing furiously, and then fell limp upon its side. I stooped, -panting, and pressed my pistol to the dreadful, shimmering head, -but it was useless to press the trigger. The giant hound was dead. - -Sir Henry lay insensible where he had fallen. We tore away his -collar, and Holmes breathed a prayer of gratitude when we saw -that there was no sign of a wound and that the rescue had been -in time. Already our friend's eyelids shivered and he made a -feeble effort to move. Lestrade thrust his brandy-flask between -the baronet's teeth, and two frightened eyes were looking up at us. - -"My God!" he whispered. "What was it? What, in heaven's name, -was it?" - -"It's dead, whatever it is," said Holmes. "We've laid the family -ghost once and forever." - -In mere size and strength it was a terrible creature which was -lying stretched before us. It was not a pure bloodhound and it -was not a pure mastiff; but it appeared to be a combination of -the two-gaunt, savage, and as large as a small lioness. Even -now in the stillness of death, the huge jaws seemed to be dripping -with a bluish flame and the small, deep-set, cruel eyes were ringed -with fire. I placed my hand upon the glowing muzzle, and as I -held them up my own fingers smouldered and gleamed in the darkness. - -"Phosphorus," I said. -"A cunning preparation of it," said Holmes, sniffing at the dead -animal. "There is no smell which might have interfered with his -power of scent. We owe you a deep apology, Sir Henry, for having -exposed you to this fright. I was prepared for a hound, but not -for such a creature as this. And the fog gave us little time to -receive him." - -"You have saved my life." - -"Having first endangered it. Are you strong enough to stand?" - -"Give me another mouthful of that brandy and I shall be ready -for anything. So! Now, if you will help me up. What do you -propose to do?" - -"To leave you here. You are not fit for further adventures -tonight. If you will wait, one or other of us will go back -with you to the Hall." - -He tried to stagger to his feet; but he was still ghastly pale -and trembling in every limb. We helped him to a rock, where he -sat shivering with his face buried in his hands. - -"We must leave you now," said Holmes. "The rest of our work must -be done, and every moment is of importance. We have our case, -and now we only want our man. - -"It's a thousand to one against our finding him at the house," he -continued as we retraced our steps swiftly down the path. "Those -shots must have told him that the game was up." - -"We were some distance off, and this fog may have deadened them." - -"He followed the hound to call him off--of that you may be certain. -No, no, he's gone by this time! But we'll search the house and -make sure." - -The front door was open, so we rushed in and hurried from room -to room to the amazement of a doddering old manservant, who met -us in the passage. There was no light save in the dining-room, -but Holmes caught up the lamp and left no corner of the house -unexplored. No sign could we see of the man whom we were chasing. -On the upper floor, however, one of the bedroom doors was locked. - -"There's someone in here," cried Lestrade. "I can hear a movement. -Open this door!" - -A faint moaning and rustling came from within. Holmes struck the -door just over the lock with the flat of his foot and it flew open. -Pistol in hand, we all three rushed into the room. - -But there was no sign within it of that desperate and defiant -villain whom we expected to see. Instead we were faced by an -object so strange and so unexpected that we stood for a moment -staring at it in amazement. - -The room had been fashioned into a small museum, and the walls were -lined by a number of glass-topped cases full of that collection -of butterflies and moths the formation of which had been the -relaxation of this complex and dangerous man. In the centre of -this room there was an upright beam, which had been placed at -some period as a support for the old worm-eaten baulk of timber -which spanned the roof. To this post a figure was tied, so -swathed and muffled in the sheets which had been used to secure -it that one could not for the moment tell whether it was that of -a man or a woman. One towel passed round the throat and was -secured at the back of the pillar. Another covered the lower -part of the face, and over it two dark eyes--eyes full of grief -and shame and a dreadful questioning--stared back at us. In a -minute we had torn off the gag, unswathed the bonds, and Mrs. -Stapleton sank upon the floor in front of us. As her beautiful -head fell upon her chest I saw the clear red weal of a whiplash -across her neck. - -"The brute!" cried Holmes. "Here, Lestrade, your brandy-bottle! -Put her in the chair! She has fainted from ill-usage and -exhaustion." - -She opened her eyes again. - -"Is he safe?" she asked. "Has he escaped?" - -"He cannot escape us, madam." - -"No, no, I did not mean my husband. Sir Henry? Is he safe?" - -"Yes." - -"And the hound?" - -"It is dead." - -She gave a long sigh of satisfaction. - -"Thank God! Thank God! Oh, this villain! See how he has treated -me!" She shot her arms out from her sleeves, and we saw with -horror that they were all mottled with bruises. "But this is -nothing--nothing! It is my mind and soul that he has tortured -and defiled. I could endure it all, ill-usage, solitude, a life -of deception, everything, as long as I could still cling to the -hope that I had his love, but now I know that in this also I have -been his dupe and his tool." She broke into passionate sobbing -as she spoke. - -"You bear him no good will, madam," said Holmes. "Tell us then -where we shall find him. If you have ever aided him in evil, -help us now and so atone." - -"There is but one place where he can have fled," she answered. -"There is an old tin mine on an island in the heart of the mire. -It was there that he kept his hound and there also he had made -preparations so that he might have a refuge. That is where he -would fly." - -The fog-bank lay like white wool against the window. Holmes held -the lamp towards it. - -"See," said he. "No one could find his way into the Grimpen Mire -tonight." - -She laughed and clapped her hands. Her eyes and teeth gleamed -with fierce merriment. - -"He may find his way in, but never out," she cried. "How can he -see the guiding wands tonight? We planted them together, he and -I, to mark the pathway through the mire. Oh, if I could only -have plucked them out today. Then indeed you would have had him -at your mercy!" - -It was evident to us that all pursuit was in vain until the fog -had lifted. Meanwhile we left Lestrade in possession of the -house while Holmes and I went back with the baronet to Baskerville -Hall. The story of the Stapletons could no longer be withheld -from him, but he took the blow bravely when he learned the truth -about the woman whom he had loved. But the shock of the night's -adventures had shattered his nerves, and before morning he lay -delirious in a high fever under the care of Dr. Mortimer. The -two of them were destined to travel together round the world -before Sir Henry had become once more the hale, hearty man that -he had been before he became master of that ill-omened estate. - -And now I come rapidly to the conclusion of this singular narrative, -in which I have tried to make the reader share those dark fears -and vague surmises which clouded our lives so long and ended in -so tragic a manner. On the morning after the death of the hound -the fog had lifted and we were guided by Mrs. Stapleton to the -point where they had found a pathway through the bog. It helped -us to realize the horror of this woman's life when we saw the -eagerness and joy with which she laid us on her husband's track. -We left her standing upon the thin peninsula of firm, peaty soil -which tapered out into the widespread bog. From the end of it a -small wand planted here and there showed where the path zigzagged -from tuft to tuft of rushes among those green-scummed pits and -foul quagmires which barred the way to the stranger. Rank reeds -and lush, slimy water-plants sent an odour of decay and a heavy -miasmatic vapour onto our faces, while a false step plunged us -more than once thigh-deep into the dark, quivering mire, which -shook for yards in soft undulations around our feet. Its tenacious -grip plucked at our heels as we walked, and when we sank into it -it was as if some malignant hand was tugging us down into those -obscene depths, so grim and purposeful was the clutch in which -it held us. Once only we saw a trace that someone had passed that -perilous way before us. From amid a tuft of cotton grass which -bore it up out of the slime some dark thing was projecting. Holmes -sank to his waist as he stepped from the path to seize it, and -had we not been there to drag him out he could never have set his -foot upon firm land again. He held an old black boot in the air. -"Meyers, Toronto," was printed on the leather inside. - -"It is worth a mud bath," said he. "It is our friend Sir Henry's -missing boot." - -"Thrown there by Stapleton in his flight." - -"Exactly. He retained it in his hand after using it to set the -hound upon the track. He fled when he knew the game was up, -still clutching it. And he hurled it away at this point of his -flight. We know at least that he came so far in safety." - -But more than that we were never destined to know, though there -was much which we might surmise. There was no chance of finding -footsteps in the mire, for the rising mud oozed swiftly in upon -them, but as we at last reached firmer ground beyond the morass -we all looked eagerly for them. But no slightest sign of them -ever met our eyes. If the earth told a true story, then Stapleton -never reached that island of refuge towards which he struggled -through the fog upon that last night. Somewhere in the heart of -the great Grimpen Mire, down in the foul slime of the huge morass -which had sucked him in, this cold and cruel-hearted man is -forever buried. - -Many traces we found of him in the bog-girt island where he had -hid his savage ally. A huge driving-wheel and a shaft half-filled -with rubbish showed the position of an abandoned mine. Beside -it were the crumbling remains of the cottages of the miners, -driven away no doubt by the foul reek of the surrounding swamp. -In one of these a staple and chain with a quantity of gnawed bones -showed where the animal had been confined. A skeleton with a -tangle of brown hair adhering to it lay among the debris. - -"A dog!" said Holmes. "By Jove, a curly-haired spaniel. Poor -Mortimer will never see his pet again. Well, I do not know that -this place contains any secret which we have not already fathomed. -He could hide his hound, but he could not hush its voice, and hence -came those cries which even in daylight were not pleasant to hear. -On an emergency he could keep the hound in the out-house at -Merripit, but it was always a risk, and it was only on the supreme -day, which he regarded as the end of all his efforts, that he dared -do it. This paste in the tin is no doubt the luminous mixture with -which the creature was daubed. It was suggested, of course, by -the story of the family hell-hound, and by the desire to frighten -old Sir Charles to death. No wonder the poor devil of a convict -ran and screamed, even as our friend did, and as we ourselves might -have done, when he saw such a creature bounding through the darkness -of the moor upon his track. It was a cunning device, for, apart -from the chance of driving your victim to his death, what peasant -would venture to inquire too closely into such a creature should he -get sight of it, as many have done, upon the moor? I said it in -London, Watson, and I say it again now, that never yet have we -helped to hunt down a more dangerous man than he who is lying -yonder"--he swept his long arm towards the huge mottled expanse -of green-splotched bog which stretched away until it merged into -the russet slopes of the moor. - - - - -Chapter 15 -A Retrospection - - - -It was the end of November, and Holmes and I sat, upon a raw and -foggy night, on either side of a blazing fire in our sitting-room -in Baker Street. Since the tragic upshot of our visit to Devonshire -he had been engaged in two affairs of the utmost importance, in -the first of which he had exposed the atrocious conduct of Colonel -Upwood in connection with the famous card scandal of the Nonpareil -Club, while in the second he had defended the unfortunate Mme. -Montpensier from the charge of murder which hung over her in -connection with the death of her step-daughter, Mlle. Carere, the -young lady who, as it will be remembered, was found six months -later alive and married in New York. My friend was in excellent -spirits over the success which had attended a succession of -difficult and important cases, so that I was able to induce him -to discuss the details of the Baskerville mystery. I had waited -patiently for the opportunity for I was aware that he would never -permit cases to overlap, and that his clear and logical mind would -not be drawn from its present work to dwell upon memories of the -past. Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer were, however, in London, on -their way to that long voyage which had been recommended for the -restoration of his shattered nerves. They had called upon us -that very afternoon, so that it was natural that the subject -should come up for discussion. - -"The whole course of events," said Holmes, "from the point of -view of the man who called himself Stapleton was simple and -direct, although to us, who had no means in the beginning of -knowing the motives of his actions and could only learn part -of the facts, it all appeared exceedingly complex. I have had -the advantage of two conversations with Mrs. Stapleton, and the -case has now been so entirely cleared up that I am not aware that -there is anything which has remained a secret to us. You will -find a few notes upon the matter under the heading B in my indexed -list of cases." - -"Perhaps you would kindly give me a sketch of the course of events -from memory." - -"Certainly, though I cannot guarantee that I carry all the facts -in my mind. Intense mental concentration has a curious way of -blotting out what has passed. The barrister who has his case at -his fingers' ends and is able to argue with an expert upon his -own subject finds that a week or two of the courts will drive it -all out of his head once more. So each of my cases displaces the -last, and Mlle. Carere has blurred my recollection of Baskerville -Hall. Tomorrow some other little problem may be submitted to my -notice which will in turn dispossess the fair French lady and the -infamous Upwood. So far as the case of the hound goes, however, -I will give you the course of events as nearly as I can, and you -will suggest anything which I may have forgotten. - -"My inquiries show beyond all question that the family portrait -did not lie, and that this fellow was indeed a Baskerville. He -was a son of that Rodger Baskerville, the younger brother of Sir -Charles, who fled with a sinister reputation to South America, -where he was said to have died unmarried. He did, as a matter of -fact, marry, and had one child, this fellow, whose real name is -the same as his father's. He married Beryl Garcia, one of the -beauties of Costa Rica, and, having purloined a considerable sum -of public money, he changed his name to Vandeleur and fled to -England, where he established a school in the east of Yorkshire. -His reason for attempting this special line of business was that -he had struck up an acquaintance with a consumptive tutor upon -the voyage home, and that he had used this man's ability to make -the undertaking a success. Fraser, the tutor, died however, and -the school which had begun well sank from disrepute into infamy. -The Vandeleurs found it convenient to change their name to -Stapleton, and he brought the remains of his fortune, his schemes -for the future, and his taste for entomology to the south of -England. I learned at the British Museum that he was a recognized -authority upon the subject, and that the name of Vandeleur has -been permanently attached to a certain moth which he had, in his -Yorkshire days, been the first to describe. - -"We now come to that portion of his life which has proved to be -of such intense interest to us. The fellow had evidently made -inquiry and found that only two lives intervened between him and -a valuable estate. When he went to Devonshire his plans were, -I believe, exceedingly hazy, but that he meant mischief from the -first is evident from the way in which he took his wife with him -in the character of his sister. The idea of using her as a decoy -was clearly already in his mind, though he may not have been -certain how the details of his plot were to be arranged. He meant -in the end to have the estate, and he was ready to use any tool -or run any risk for that end. His first act was to establish -himself as near to his ancestral home as he could, and his second -was to cultivate a friendship with Sir Charles Baskerville and -with the neighbours. - -"The baronet himself told him about the family hound, and so -prepared the way for his own death. Stapleton, as I will continue -to call him, knew that the old man's heart was weak and that a -shock would kill him. So much he had learned from Dr. Mortimer. -He had heard also that Sir Charles was superstitious and had taken -this grim legend very seriously. His ingenious mind instantly -suggested a way by which the baronet could be done to death, and -yet it would be hardly possible to bring home the guilt to the -real murderer. - -"Having conceived the idea he proceeded to carry it out with -considerable finesse. An ordinary schemer would have been content -to work with a savage hound. The use of artificial means to make -the creature diabolical was a flash of genius upon his part. The -dog he bought in London from Ross and Mangles, the dealers in -Fulham Road. It was the strongest and most savage in their -possession. He brought it down by the North Devon line and walked -a great distance over the moor so as to get it home without -exciting any remarks. He had already on his insect hunts learned -to penetrate the Grimpen Mire, and so had found a safe hiding-place -for the creature. Here he kennelled it and waited his chance. - -"But it was some time coming. The old gentleman could not be -decoyed outside of his grounds at night. Several times Stapleton -lurked about with his hound, but without avail. It was during -these fruitless quests that he, or rather his ally, was seen by -peasants, and that the legend of the demon dog received a new -confirmation. He had hoped that his wife might lure Sir Charles -to his ruin, but here she proved unexpectedly independent. She -would not endeavour to entangle the old gentleman in a sentimental -attachment which might deliver him over to his enemy. Threats -and even, I am sorry to say, blows refused to move her. She -would have nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was -at a deadlock. - -"He found a way out of his difficulties through the chance that -Sir Charles, who had conceived a friendship for him, made him -the minister of his charity in the case of this unfortunate woman, -Mrs. Laura Lyons. By representing himself as a single man he -acquired complete influence over her, and he gave her to understand -that in the event of her obtaining a divorce from her husband he -would marry her. His plans were suddenly brought to a head by -his knowledge that Sir Charles was about to leave the Hall on the -advice of Dr. Mortimer, with whose opinion he himself pretended -to coincide. He must act at once, or his victim might get beyond -his power. He therefore put pressure upon Mrs. Lyons to write -this letter, imploring the old man to give her an interview on -the evening before his departure for London. He then, by a -specious argument, prevented her from going, and so had the chance -for which he had waited. - -"Driving back in the evening from Coombe Tracey he was in time to -get his hound, to treat it with his infernal paint, and to bring -the beast round to the gate at which he had reason to expect that -he would find the old gentleman waiting. The dog, incited by its -master, sprang over the wicket-gate and pursued the unfortunate -baronet, who fled screaming down the yew alley. In that gloomy -tunnel it must indeed have been a dreadful sight to see that huge -black creature, with its flaming jaws and blazing eyes, bounding -after its victim. He fell dead at the end of the alley from heart -disease and terror. The hound had kept upon the grassy border -while the baronet had run down the path, so that no track but the -man's was visible. On seeing him lying still the creature had -probably approached to sniff at him, but finding him dead had -turned away again. It was then that it left the print which was -actually observed by Dr. Mortimer. The hound was called off and -hurried away to its lair in the Grimpen Mire, and a mystery was -left which puzzled the authorities, alarmed the countryside, and -finally brought the case within the scope of our observation. - -"So much for the death of Sir Charles Baskerville. You perceive -the devilish cunning of it, for really it would be almost impossible -to make a case against the real murderer. His only accomplice -was one who could never give him away, and the grotesque, -inconceivable nature of the device only served to make it more -effective. Both of the women concerned in the case, Mrs. Stapleton -and Mrs. Laura Lyons, were left with a strong suspicion against -Stapleton. Mrs. Stapleton knew that he had designs upon the old -man, and also of the existence of the hound. Mrs. Lyons knew -neither of these things, but had been impressed by the death -occurring at the time of an uncancelled appointment which was -only known to him. However, both of them were under his influence, -and he had nothing to fear from them. The first half of his task -was successfully accomplished but the more difficult still remained. - -"It is possible that Stapleton did not know of the existence of -an heir in Canada. In any case he would very soon learn it from -his friend Dr. Mortimer, and he was told by the latter all details -about the arrival of Henry Baskerville. Stapleton's first idea -was that this young stranger from Canada might possibly be done -to death in London without coming down to Devonshire at all. He -distrusted his wife ever since she had refused to help him in -laying a trap for the old man, and he dared not leave her long -out of his sight for fear he should lose his influence over her. -It was for this reason that he took her to London with him. They -lodged, I find, at the Mexborough Private Hotel, in Craven Street, -which was actually one of those called upon by my agent in search -of evidence. Here he kept his wife imprisoned in her room while -he, disguised in a beard, followed Dr. Mortimer to Baker Street -and afterwards to the station and to the Northumberland Hotel. -His wife had some inkling of his plans; but she had such a fear -of her husband--a fear founded upon brutal ill-treatment--that -she dare not write to warn the man whom she knew to be in danger. -If the letter should fall into Stapleton's hands her own life -would not be safe. Eventually, as we know, she adopted the -expedient of cutting out the words which would form the message, -and addressing the letter in a disguised hand. It reached the -baronet, and gave him the first warning of his danger. - -"It was very essential for Stapleton to get some article of Sir -Henry's attire so that, in case he was driven to use the dog, he -might always have the means of setting him upon his track. With -characteristic promptness and audacity he set about this at once, -and we cannot doubt that the boots or chamber-maid of the hotel -was well bribed to help him in his design. By chance, however, -the first boot which was procured for him was a new one and, -therefore, useless for his purpose. He then had it returned and -obtained another--a most instructive incident, since it proved -conclusively to my mind that we were dealing with a real hound, -as no other supposition could explain this anxiety to obtain an -old boot and this indifference to a new one. The more outre and -grotesque an incident is the more carefully it deserves to be -examined, and the very point which appears to complicate a case -is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, the one which -is most likely to elucidate it. - -"Then we had the visit from our friends next morning, shadowed -always by Stapleton in the cab. From his knowledge of our rooms -and of my appearance, as well as from his general conduct, I am -inclined to think that Stapleton's career of crime has been by no -means limited to this single Baskerville affair. It is suggestive -that during the last three years there have been four considerable -burglaries in the west country, for none of which was any criminal -ever arrested. The last of these, at Folkestone Court, in May, -was remarkable for the cold-blooded pistolling of the page, who -surprised the masked and solitary burglar. I cannot doubt that -Stapleton recruited his waning resources in this fashion, and -that for years he has been a desperate and dangerous man. - -"We had an example of his readiness of resource that morning when -he got away from us so successfully, and also of his audacity in -sending back my own name to me through the cabman. From that -moment he understood that I had taken over the case in London, -and that therefore there was no chance for him there. He returned -to Dartmoor and awaited the arrival of the baronet." - -"One moment!" said I. "You have, no doubt, described the sequence -of events correctly, but there is one point which you have left -unexplained. What became of the hound when its master was in London?" - -"I have given some attention to this matter and it is undoubtedly -of importance. There can be no question that Stapleton had a -confidant, though it is unlikely that he ever placed himself in -his power by sharing all his plans with him. There was an old -manservant at Merripit House, whose name was Anthony. His -connection with the Stapletons can be traced for several years, -as far back as the schoolmastering days, so that he must have been -aware that his master and mistress were really husband and wife. -This man has disappeared and has escaped from the country. It -is suggestive that Anthony is not a common name in England, while -Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish-American countries. The -man, like Mrs. Stapleton herself, spoke good English, but with a -curious lisping accent. I have myself seen this old man cross -the Grimpen Mire by the path which Stapleton had marked out. It -is very probable, therefore, that in the absence of his master -it was he who cared for the hound, though he may never have known -the purpose for which the beast was used. - -"The Stapletons then went down to Devonshire, whither they were -soon followed by Sir Henry and you. One word now as to how I -stood myself at that time. It may possibly recur to your memory -that when I examined the paper upon which the printed words were -fastened I made a close inspection for the water-mark. In doing -so I held it within a few inches of my eyes, and was conscious -of a faint smell of the scent known as white jessamine. There -are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very necessary that a -criminal expert should be able to distinguish from each other, -and cases have more than once within my own experience depended -upon their prompt recognition. The scent suggested the presence -of a lady, and already my thoughts began to turn towards the -Stapletons. Thus I had made certain of the hound, and had guessed -at the criminal before ever we went to the west country. - -"It was my game to watch Stapleton. It was evident, however, -that I could not do this if I were with you, since he would be -keenly on his guard. I deceived everybody, therefore, yourself -included, and I came down secretly when I was supposed to be in -London. My hardships were not so great as you imagined, though -such trifling details must never interfere with the investigation -of a case. I stayed for the most part at Coombe Tracey, and only -used the hut upon the moor when it was necessary to be near the -scene of action. Cartwright had come down with me, and in his -disguise as a country boy he was of great assistance to me. I -was dependent upon him for food and clean linen. When I was -watching Stapleton, Cartwright was frequently watching you, so -that I was able to keep my hand upon all the strings. - -"I have already told you that your reports reached me rapidly, -being forwarded instantly from Baker Street to Coombe Tracey. -They were of great service to me, and especially that one -incidentally truthful piece of biography of Stapleton's. I was -able to establish the identity of the man and the woman and knew -at last exactly how I stood. The case had been considerably -complicated through the incident of the escaped convict and the -relations between him and the Barrymores. This also you cleared -up in a very effective way, though I had already come to the same -conclusions from my own observations. - -"By the time that you discovered me upon the moor I had a complete -knowledge of the whole business, but I had not a case which could -go to a jury. Even Stapleton's attempt upon Sir Henry that night -which ended in the death of the unfortunate convict did not help -us much in proving murder against our man. There seemed to be -no alternative but to catch him red-handed, and to do so we had -to use Sir Henry, alone and apparently unprotected, as a bait. -We did so, and at the cost of a severe shock to our client we -succeeded in completing our case and driving Stapleton to his -destruction. That Sir Henry should have been exposed to this is, -I must confess, a reproach to my management of the case, but we -had no means of foreseeing the terrible and paralyzing spectacle -which the beast presented, nor could we predict the fog which -enabled him to burst upon us at such short notice. We succeeded -in our object at a cost which both the specialist and Dr. Mortimer -assure me will be a temporary one. A long journey may enable our -friend to recover not only from his shattered nerves but also from -his wounded feelings. His love for the lady was deep and sincere, -and to him the saddest part of all this black business was that -he should have been deceived by her. - -"It only remains to indicate the part which she had played -throughout. There can be no doubt that Stapleton exercised an -influence over her which may have been love or may have been fear, -or very possibly both, since they are by no means incompatible -emotions. It was, at least, absolutely effective. At his command -she consented to pass as his sister, though he found the limits -of his power over her when he endeavoured to make her the direct -accessory to murder. She was ready to warn Sir Henry so far as -she could without implicating her husband, and again and again -she tried to do so. Stapleton himself seems to have been capable -of jealousy, and when he saw the baronet paying court to the lady, -even though it was part of his own plan, still he could not help -interrupting with a passionate outburst which revealed the fiery -soul which his self-contained manner so cleverly concealed. By -encouraging the intimacy he made it certain that Sir Henry would -frequently come to Merripit House and that he would sooner or -later get the opportunity which he desired. On the day of the -crisis, however, his wife turned suddenly against him. She had -learned something of the death of the convict, and she knew that -the hound was being kept in the outhouse on the evening that Sir -Henry was coming to dinner. She taxed her husband with his -intended crime, and a furious scene followed in which he showed -her for the first time that she had a rival in his love. Her -fidelity turned in an instant to bitter hatred, and he saw that -she would betray him. He tied her up, therefore, that she might -have no chance of warning Sir Henry, and he hoped, no doubt, that -when the whole countryside put down the baronet's death to the -curse of his family, as they certainly would do, he could win his -wife back to accept an accomplished fact and to keep silent upon -what she knew. In this I fancy that in any case he made a -miscalculation, and that, if we had not been there, his doom would -none the less have been sealed. A woman of Spanish blood does -not condone such an injury so lightly. And now, my dear Watson, -without referring to my notes, I cannot give you a more detailed -account of this curious case. I do not know that anything essential -has been left unexplained." - -"He could not hope to frighten Sir Henry to death as he had done -the old uncle with his bogie hound." - -"The beast was savage and half-starved. If its appearance did -not frighten its victim to death, at least it would paralyze the -resistance which might be offered." - -"No doubt. There only remains one difficulty. If Stapleton came -into the succession, how could he explain the fact that he, the -heir, had been living unannounced under another name so close to -the property? How could he claim it without causing suspicion -and inquiry?" - -"It is a formidable difficulty, and I fear that you ask too much -when you expect me to solve it. The past and the present are -within the field of my inquiry, but what a man may do in the future -is a hard question to answer. Mrs. Stapleton has heard her husband -discuss the problem on several occasions. There were three possible -courses. He might claim the property from South America, -establish his identity before the British authorities there and so -obtain the fortune without ever coming to England at all, or he -might adopt an elaborate disguise during the short time that he -need be in London; or, again, he might furnish an accomplice with -the proofs and papers, putting him in as heir, and retaining a -claim upon some proportion of his income. We cannot doubt from -what we know of him that he would have found some way out of the -difficulty. And now, my dear Watson, we have had some weeks of -severe work, and for one evening, I think, we may turn our thoughts -into more pleasant channels. I have a box for 'Les Huguenots.' -Have you heard the De Reszkes? Might I trouble you then to be -ready in half an hour, and we can stop at Marcini's for a little -dinner on the way?" - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Etext The Hound of the Baskervilles by Doyle - |