Chapter1Mr。SherlockHolmesMr。SherlockHolmes，whowasusuallyverylateinthemornings，saveuponthosenotinfrequentoccasionswhenhewasupallnight，wasseatedatthebreakfasttable。Istooduponthehearth—rugandpickedupthestickwhichourvisitorhadleftbehindhimthenightbefore。Itwasafine，thickpieceofwood，bulbous—headed，ofthesortwhichisknownasa`Penanglawyer。’Justundertheheadwasabroadsilverbandnearlyaninchacross。
　　`ToJamesMortimer，M。R。C。S。，fromhisfriendsoftheC。C。H。，’wasengraveduponit，withthedate`1884。’Itwasjustsuchastickastheold—fashionedfamilypractitionerusedtocarry—dignified，solid，andreassuring。
　　`Well，Watson，whatdoyoumakeofit？’
　　Holmeswassittingwithhisbacktome，andIhadgivenhimnosignofmyoccupation。
　　`HowdidyouknowwhatIwasdoing？Ibelieveyouhaveeyesinthebackofyourhead。’
　　`Ihave，atleast，awell—polished，silver—platedcoffee—potinfrontofme，’saidhe。`But，tellme，Watson，whatdoyoumakeofourvisitor’sstick？Sincewehavebeensounfortunateastomisshimandhavenonotionofhiserrand，thisaccidentalsouvenirbecomesofimportance。Letmehearyoureconstructthemanbyanexaminationofit。’
　　`Ithink，’saidI，followingasfarasIcouldthemethodsofmycompanion，`thatDr。Mortimerisasuccessful，elderlymedicalman，well—esteemedsincethosewhoknowhimgivehimthismarkoftheirappreciation。’
　　`Good！’saidHolmes。`Excellent！’
　　`Ithinkalsothattheprobabilityisinfavourofhisbeingacountrypractitionerwhodoesagreatdealofhisvisitingonfoot。’
　　`Whyso？’
　　`Becausethisstick，thoughoriginallyaveryhandsomeonehasbeensoknockedaboutthatIcanhardlyimagineatownpractitionercarryingit。Thethick—ironferruleisworndown，soitisevidentthathehasdoneagreatamountofwalkingwithit。’
　　`Perfectlysound！’saidHolmes。
　　`Andthenagain，thereisthe``friendsoftheC。C。H。’’IshouldguessthattobetheSomethingHunt，thelocalhunttowhosemembershehaspossiblygivensomesurgicalassistance，andwhichhasmadehimasmallpresentationinreturn。’
　　`Really，Watson，youexcelyourself，’saidHolmes，pushingbackhischairandlightingacigarette。`Iamboundtosaythatinalltheaccountswhichyouhavebeensogoodastogiveofmyownsmallachievementsyouhavehabituallyunderratedyourownabilities。Itmaybethatyouarenotyourselfluminous，butyouareaconductoroflight。Somepeoplewithoutpossessinggeniushavearemarkablepowerofstimulatingit。Iconfess，mydearfellow，thatIamverymuchinyourdebt。’
　　Hehadneversaidasmuchbefore，andImustadmitthathiswordsgavemekeenpleasure，forIhadoftenbeenpiquedbyhisindifferencetomyadmirationandtotheattemptswhichIhadmadetogivepublicitytohismethods。Iwasproud，too，tothinkthatIhadsofarmasteredhissystemastoapplyitinawaywhichearnedhisapproval。Henowtookthestickfrommyhandsandexamineditforafewminuteswithhisnakedeyes。
　　Thenwithanexpressionofinteresthelaiddownhiscigarette，andcarryingthecanetothewindow，helookedoveritagainwithaconvexlens。
　　`Interesting，thoughelementary，’saidheashereturnedtohisfavouritecornerofthesettee。`Therearecertainlyoneortwoindicationsuponthestick。Itgivesusthebasisforseveraldeductions。’
　　`Hasanythingescapedme？’Iaskedwithsomeself—importance。
　　`ItrustthatthereisnothingofconsequencewhichIhaveoverlooked？’
　　`Iamafraid，mydearWatson，thatmostofyourconclusionswereerroneous。
　　WhenIsaidthatyoustimulatedmeImeant，tobefrank，thatinnotingyourfallaciesIwasoccasionallyguidedtowardsthetruth。Notthatyouareentirelywronginthisinstance。Themaniscertainlyacountrypractitioner。Andhewalksagooddeal。’
　　`ThenIwasright。’
　　`Tothatextent。’
　　`Butthatwasall。’
　　`No，no，mydearWatson，notall—bynomeansall。Iwouldsuggest，forexample，thatapresentationtoadoctorismorelikelytocomefromahospitalthanfromahunt，andthatwhentheinitials``C。C。’’areplacedbeforethathospitalthewords``CharingCross’’verynaturallysuggestthemselves。’
　　`Youmayberight。’
　　`Theprobabilityliesinthatdirection。Andifwetakethisasaworkinghypothesiswehaveafreshbasisfromwhichtostartourconstructionofthisunknownvisitor。’
　　`Well，then，supposingthat``C。C。H。’’doesstandfor``CharingCrossHospital，’’whatfurtherinferencesmaywedraw？’
　　`Dononesuggestthemselves？Youknowmymethods。Applythem！’
　　`Icanonlythinkoftheobviousconclusionthatthemanhaspractisedintownbeforegoingtothecountry。’
　　`Ithinkthatwemightventurealittlefartherthanthis。Lookatitinthislight。Onwhatoccasionwoulditbemostprobablethatsuchapresentationwouldbemade？Whenwouldhisfriendsunitetogivehimapledgeoftheirgoodwill？ObviouslyatthemomentwhenDr。Mortimerwithdrewfromtheserviceofthehospitalinordertostartinpracticeforhimself。Weknowtherehasbeenapresentation。Webelievetherehasbeenachangefromatownhospitaltoacountrypractice。Isit，then，stretchingourinferencetoofartosaythatthepresentationwasontheoccasionofthechange？’
　　`Itcertainlyseemsprobable。’
　　`Now，youwillobservethathecouldnothavebeenonthestaffofthehospital，sinceonlyamanwell—establishedinaLondonpracticecouldholdsuchaposition，andsuchaonewouldnotdriftintothecountry。
　　Whatwashe，then？Ifhewasinthehospitalandyetnotonthestaffhecouldonlyhavebeenahouse—surgeonorahouse—physician—littlemorethanaseniorstudent。Andheleftfiveyearsago—thedateisonthestick。Soyourgrave，middle—agedfamilypractitionervanishesintothinair，mydearWatson，andthereemergesayoungfellowunderthirty，amiable，unambitious，absent—minded，andthepossessorofafavouritedog，whichIshoulddescriberoughlyasbeinglargerthanaterrierandsmallerthanamastiff。’
　　IlaughedincredulouslyasSherlockHolmesleanedbackinhissetteeandblewlittlewaveringringsofsmokeuptotheceiling。
　　`Astothelatterpart，Ihavenomeansofcheckingyou，’saidI，`butatleastitisnotdifficulttofindoutafewparticularsabouttheman’sageandprofessionalcareer。’FrommysmallmedicalshelfItookdowntheMedicalDirectoryandturnedupthename。TherewereseveralMortimers，butonlyonewhocouldbeourvisitor。Ireadhisrecordaloud。
　　`Mortimer，James，M。R。C。S。，1882，Grimpen，Dartmoor，Devon。
　　House—surgeon，from1882to1884，atCharingCrossHospital。WinneroftheJacksonprizeforComparativePathology，withessayentitled``IsDiseaseaReversion？’’CorrespondingmemberoftheSwedishPathologicalSociety。
　　Authorof``SomeFreaksofAtavism’’（Lancet1882）。``DoWeProgress？’’
　　（JournalofPsychology，March，1883）。MedicalOfficerfortheparishesofGrimpen，Thorsley，andHighBarrow。’`Nomentionofthatlocalhunt，Watson，’saidHolmeswithamischievoussmile，`butacountrydoctor，asyouveryastutelyobserved。IthinkthatIamfairlyjustifiedinmyinferences。Astotheadjectives，Isaid，ifIrememberright，amiable，unambitious，andabsent—minded。Itismyexperiencethatitisonlyanamiablemaninthisworldwhoreceivestestimonials，onlyanunambitiousonewhoabandonsaLondoncareerforthecountry，andonlyanabsent—mindedonewholeaveshisstickandnothisvisiting—cardafterwaitinganhourinyourroom。’
　　`Andthedog？’
　　`Hasbeeninthehabitofcarryingthisstickbehindhismaster。
　　Beingaheavystickthedoghasheldittightlybythemiddle，andthemarksofhisteethareveryplainlyvisible。Thedog’sjaw，asshowninthespacebetweenthesemarks，istoobroadinmyopinionforaterrierandnotbroadenoughforamastiff。Itmayhavebeen—yes，byJove，itisacurly—hairedspaniel。’
　　Hehadrisenandpacedtheroomashespoke。Nowhehaltedintherecessofthewindow。TherewassucharingofconvictioninhisvoicethatIglancedupinsurprise。
　　`Mydearfellow，howcanyoupossiblybesosureofthat？’
　　`FortheverysimplereasonthatIseethedoghimselfonourverydoor—step，andthereistheringofitsowner。Don’tmove，Ibegyou，Watson。Heisaprofessionalbrotherofyours，andyourpresencemaybeofassistancetome。Nowisthedramaticmomentoffate，Watson，whenyouhearastepuponthestairwhichiswalkingintoyourlife，andyouknownotwhetherforgoodorill。WhatdoesDr。JamesMortimer，themanofscience，askofSherlockHolmes，thespecialistincrime？Comein！’
　　Theappearanceofourvisitorwasasurprisetome，sinceIhadexpectedatypicalcountrypractitioner。Hewasaverytall，thinman，withalongnoselikeabeak，whichjuttedoutbetweentwokeen，grayeyes，setcloselytogetherandsparklingbrightlyfrombehindapairofgold—rimmedglasses。Hewascladinaprofessionalbutratherslovenlyfashion，forhisfrock—coatwasdingyandhistrousersfrayed。Thoughyoung，hislongbackwasalreadybowed，andhewalkedwithaforwardthrustofhisheadandageneralairofpeeringbenevolence。AsheenteredhiseyesfelluponthestickinHolmes’shand，andherantowardsitwithanexclamationofjoy。`Iamsoveryglad，’saidhe。`IwasnotsurewhetherIhadleftithereorintheShippingOffice。Iwouldnotlosethatstickfortheworld。’
　　`Apresentation，Isee，’saidHolmes。
　　`Yes，sir。’
　　`FromCharingCrossHospital？’
　　`Fromoneortwofriendsthereontheoccasionofmymarriage。’
　　`Dear，dear，that’sbad！’saidHolmes，shakinghishead。
　　Dr。Mortimerblinkedthroughhisglassesinmildastonishment。
　　`Whywasitbad？’
　　`Onlythatyouhavedisarrangedourlittledeductions。Yourmarriage，yousay？’
　　`Yes，sir。Imarried，andsoleftthehospital，andwithitallhopesofaconsultingpractice。Itwasnecessarytomakeahomeofmyown。’
　　`Come，come，wearenotsofarwrong，afterall，’saidHolmes。
　　`Andnow，Dr。JamesMortimer—’
　　`Mister，sir，Mister—ahumbleM。R。C。S。’
　　`Andamanofprecisemind，evidently。’
　　`Adabblerinscience，Mr。Holmes，apickerupofshellsontheshoresofthegreatunknownocean。IpresumethatitisMr。SherlockHolmeswhomIamaddressingandnot—’
　　`No，thisismyfriendDr。Watson。’
　　`Gladtomeetyou，sir。Ihaveheardyournamementionedinconnectionwiththatofyourfriend。Youinterestmeverymuch，Mr。Holmes。Ihadhardlyexpectedsodolichocephalicaskullorsuchwell—markedsupra—orbitaldevelopment。Wouldyouhaveanyobjectiontomyrunningmyfingeralongyourparietalfissure？Acastofyourskull，sir，untiltheoriginalisavailable，wouldbeanornamenttoanyanthropologicalmuseum。Itisnotmyintentiontobefulsome，butIconfessthatIcovetyourskull。’
　　SherlockHolmeswavedourstrangevisitorintoachair。`Youareanenthusiastinyourlineofthought，Iperceive，sir，asIaminmine，’
　　saidhe。`Iobservefromyourforefingerthatyoumakeyourowncigarettes。
　　Havenohesitationinlightingone。’
　　Themandrewoutpaperandtobaccoandtwirledtheoneupintheotherwithsurprisingdexterity。Hehadlong，quiveringfingersasagileandrestlessastheantennaeofaninsect。
　　Holmeswassilent，buthislittledartingglancesshowedmetheinterestwhichhetookinourcuriouscompanion。
　　`Ipresume，sir，’saidheatlast，`thatitwasnotmerelyforthepurposeofexaminingmyskullthatyouhavedonemethehonourtocallherelastnightandagainto—day？’
　　`No，sir，no;thoughIamhappytohavehadtheopportunityofdoingthataswell。Icametoyou，Mr。Holmes，becauseIrecognizedthatIammyselfanunpracticalmanandbecauseIamsuddenlyconfrontedwithamostseriousandextraordinaryproblem。Recognizing，asIdo，thatyouarethesecondhighestexpertinEurope—’
　　`Indeed，sir！MayIinquirewhohasthehonourtobethefirst？’
　　askedHolmeswithsomeasperity。
　　`TothemanofpreciselyscientificmindtheworkofMonsieurBertillonmustalwaysappealstrongly。’
　　`Thenhadyounotbetterconsulthim？’
　　`Isaid，sir，tothepreciselyscientificmind。Butasapracticalmanofaffairsitisacknowledgedthatyoustandalone。Itrust，sir，thatIhavenotinadvertently—’
　　`Justalittle，’saidHolmes。`Ithink，Dr。Mortimer，youwoulddowiselyifwithoutmoreadoyouwouldkindlytellmeplainlywhattheexactnatureoftheproblemisinwhichyoudemandmyassistance。’
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles02[TableofContents]Chapter2TheCurseoftheBaskervilles`Ihaveinmypocketamanuscript，’saidDr。JamesMortimer。
　　`Iobserveditasyouenteredtheroom，’saidHolmes。
　　`Itisanoldmanuscript。’
　　`Earlyeighteenthcentury，unlessitisaforgery。’
　　`Howcanyousaythat，sir？’
　　`Youhavepresentedaninchortwoofittomyexaminationallthetimethatyouhavebeentalking。Itwouldbeapoorexpertwhocouldnotgivethedateofadocumentwithinadecadeorso。Youmaypossiblyhavereadmylittlemonographuponthesubject。Iputthatat1730。’
　　`Theexactdateis1742。’Dr。Mortimerdrewitfromhisbreast—pocket。
　　`ThisfamilypaperwascommittedtomycarebySirCharlesBaskerville，whosesuddenandtragicdeathsomethreemonthsagocreatedsomuchexcitementinDevonshire。ImaysaythatIwashispersonalfriendaswellashismedicalattendant。Hewasastrong—mindedman，sir，shrewd，practical，andasunimaginativeasIammyself。Yethetookthisdocumentveryseriously，andhismindwaspreparedforjustsuchanendasdideventuallyovertakehim。’
　　Holmesstretchedouthishandforthemanuscriptandflattenedituponhisknee。
　　`Youwillobserve，Watson，thealternativeuseofthelongsandtheshort。
　　Itisoneofseveralindicationswhichenabledmetofixthedate。’
　　Ilookedoverhisshoulderattheyellowpaperandthefadedscript。
　　Attheheadwaswritten：`BaskervilleHall，’andbelowinlarge，scrawlingfigures：`1742。’
　　`Itappearstobeastatementofsomesort。’
　　`Yes，itisastatementofacertainlegendwhichrunsintheBaskervillefamily。’
　　`ButIunderstandthatitissomethingmoremodernandpracticaluponwhichyouwishtoconsultme？’
　　`Mostmodern。Amostpractical，pressingmatter，whichmustbedecidedwithintwenty—fourhours。Butthemanuscriptisshortandisintimatelyconnectedwiththeaffair。WithyourpermissionIwillreadittoyou。’
　　Holmesleanedbackinhischair，placedhisfinger—tipstogether，andclosedhiseyes，withanairofresignation。Dr。Mortimerturnedthemanuscripttothelightandreadinahigh，cracklingvoicethefollowingcurious，old—worldnarrative：
　　`OftheoriginoftheHoundoftheBaskervillestherehavebeenmanystatements，yetasIcomeinadirectlinefromHugoBaskerville，andasIhadthestoryfrommyfather，whoalsohaditfromhis，Ihavesetitdownwithallbeliefthatitoccurredevenasisheresetforth。
　　AndIwouldhaveyoubelieve，mysons，thatthesameJusticewhichpunishessinmayalsomostgraciouslyforgiveit，andthatnobanissoheavybutthatbyprayerandrepentanceitmayberemoved。Learnthenfromthisstorynottofearthefruitsofthepast，butrathertobecircumspectinthefuture，thatthosefoulpassionswherebyourfamilyhassufferedsogrievouslymaynotagainbeloosedtoourundoing。
　　`KnowthenthatinthetimeoftheGreatRebellion（thehistoryofwhichbythelearnedLordClarendonImostearnestlycommendtoyourattention）thisManorofBaskervillewasheldbyHugoofthatname，norcanitbegainsaidthathewasamostwild，profane，andgodlessman。This，intruth，hisneighboursmighthavepardoned，seeingthatsaintshaveneverflourishedinthoseparts，buttherewasinhimacertainwantonandcruelhumourwhichmadehisnameabywordthroughtheWest。ItchancedthatthisHugocametolove（if，indeed，sodarkapassionmaybeknownundersobrightaname）thedaughterofayeomanwhoheldlandsneartheBaskervilleestate。Buttheyoungmaiden，beingdiscreetandofgoodrepute，wouldeveravoidhim，forshefearedhisevilname。SoitcametopassthatoneMichaelmasthisHugo，withfiveorsixofhisidleandwickedcompanions，stoledownuponthefarmandcarriedoffthemaiden，herfatherandbrothersbeingfromhome，ashewellknew。WhentheyhadbroughthertotheHallthemaidenwasplacedinanupperchamber，whileHugoandhisfriendssatdowntoalongcarouse，aswastheirnightlycustom。Now，thepoorlassupstairswasliketohaveherwitsturnedatthesingingandshoutingandterribleoathswhichcameuptoherfrombelow，fortheysaythatthewordsusedbyHugoBaskerville，whenhewasinwine，weresuchasmightblastthemanwhosaidthem。Atlastinthestressofherfearshedidthatwhichmighthavedauntedthebravestormostactiveman，forbytheaidofthegrowthofivywhichcovered（andstillcovers）thesouthwallshecamedownfromundertheeaves，andsohomewardacrossthemoor，therebeingthreeleaguesbetwixttheHallandherfather’sfarm。
　　`ItchancedthatsomelittletimelaterHugolefthisgueststocarryfoodanddrink—withotherworsethings，perchance—tohiscaptive，andsofoundthecageemptyandthebirdescaped。Then，asitwouldseem，hebecameasonethathathadevil，for，rushingdownthestairsintothedining—hall，hespranguponthegreattable，flagonsandtrenchersflyingbeforehim，andhecriedaloudbeforeallthecompanythathewouldthatverynightrenderhisbodyandsoultothePowersofEvilifhemightbutovertakethewench。Andwhiletherevellersstoodaghastatthefuryoftheman，onemorewickedor，itmaybe，moredrunkenthantherest，criedoutthattheyshouldputthehoundsuponherWhereatHugoranfromthehouse，cryingtohisgroomsthattheyshouldsaddlehismareandunkennelthepack，andgivingthehoundsakerchiefofthemaid’s，heswungthemtotheline，andsoofffullcryinthemoonlightoverthemoor。
　　`Now，forsomespacetherevellersstoodagape，unabletounderstandallthathadbeendoneinsuchhaste。Butanontheirbemusedwitsawoketothenatureofthedeedwhichwasliketobedoneuponthemoorlands。
　　Everythingwasnowinanuproar，somecallingfortheirpistols，somefortheirhorses，andsomeforanotherflaskofwine。Butatlengthsomesensecamebacktotheircrazedminds，andthewholeofthem，thirteeninnumber，tookhorseandstartedinpursuit。Themoonshoneclearabovethem，andtheyrodeswiftlyabreast，takingthatcoursewhichthemaidmustneedshavetakenifsheweretoreachherownhome。
　　`Theyhadgoneamileortwowhentheypassedoneofthenightshepherdsuponthemoorlands，andtheycriedtohimtoknowifhehadseenthehunt。Andtheman，asthestorygoes，wassocrazedwithfearthathecouldscarcespeak，butatlasthesaidthathehadindeedseentheunhappymaiden，withthehoundsuponhertrack。``ButIhaveseenmorethanthat，’’saidhe，``forHugoBaskervillepassedmeuponhisblackmare，andthereranmutebehindhimsuchahoundofhellasGodforbidshouldeverbeatmyheels。’’Sothedrunkensquirescursedtheshepherdandrodeonward。Butsoontheirskinsturnedcold，fortherecameagallopingacrossthemoor，andtheblackmare，dabbledwithwhitefroth，wentpastwithtrailingbridleandemptysaddle。Thentherevellersrodeclosetogether，foragreatfearwasonthem，buttheystillfollowedoverthemoor，thougheach，hadhebeenalone，wouldhavebeenrightgladtohaveturnedhishorse’shead。Ridingslowlyinthisfashiontheycameatlastuponthehounds。These，thoughknownfortheirvalourandtheirbreed，werewhimperinginaclusterattheheadofadeepdiporgoyal，aswecallit，uponthemoor，someslinkingawayandsome，withstartinghacklesandstaringeyes，gazingdownthenarrowvalleybeforethem。
　　`Thecompanyhadcometoahalt，moresobermen，asyoumayguess，thanwhentheystarted。Themostofthemwouldbynomeansadvance，butthreeofthem，theboldest，oritmaybethemostdrunken，rodeforwarddownthegoyal。Now，itopenedintoabroadspaceinwhichstoodtwoofthosegreatstones，stilltobeseenthere，whichweresetbycertainforgottenpeoplesinthedaysofold。Themoonwasshiningbrightupontheclearing，andthereinthecentrelaytheunhappymaidwhereshehadfallen，deadoffearandoffatigue。
　　Butitwasnotthesightofherbody，noryetwasitthatofthebodyofHugoBaskervillelyingnearher，whichraisedthehairupontheheadsofthesethreedaredevilroysterers，butitwasthat，standingoverHugo，andpluckingathisthroat，therestoodafoulthing，agreat，blackbeast，shapedlikeahound，yetlargerthananyhoundthatevermortaleyehasrestedupon。AndevenastheylookedthethingtorethethroatoutofHugoBaskerville，onwhich，asitturneditsblazingeyesanddrippingjawsuponthem，thethreeshriekedwithfearandrodefordearlife，stillscreaming，acrossthemoor。One，itissaid，diedthatverynightofwhathehadseen，andtheothertwainwerebutbrokenmenfortherestoftheirdays。
　　`Suchisthetale，mysons，ofthecomingofthehoundwhichissaidtohaveplaguedthefamilysosorelyeversince。IfIhavesetitdownitisbecausethatwhichisclearlyknownhathlessterrorthanthatwhichisbuthintedatandguessed。Norcanitbedeniedthatmanyofthefamilyhavebeenunhappyintheirdeaths，whichhavebeensudden，bloody，andmysterious。YetmayweshelterourselvesintheinfinitegoodnessofProvidence，whichwouldnotforeverpunishtheinnocentbeyondthatthirdorfourthgenerationwhichisthreatenedinHolyWrit。TothatProvidence，mysons，Iherebycommendyou，andIcounselyoubywayofcautiontoforbearfromcrossingthemoorinthosedarkhourswhenthepowersofevilareexalted。
　　`[ThisfromHugoBaskervilletohissonsRodgerandJohn，withinstructionsthattheysaynothingthereoftotheirsisterElizabeth。]’WhenDr。MortimerhadfinishedreadingthissingularnarrativehepushedhisspectaclesuponhisforeheadandstaredacrossatMr。SherlockHolmes。
　　Thelatteryawnedandtossedtheendofhiscigaretteintothefire。
　　`Well？’saidhe。
　　`Doyounotfinditinteresting？’
　　`Toacollectoroffairytales。’
　　Dr。Mortimerdrewafoldednewspaperoutofhispocket。
　　`Now，Mr。Holmes，wewillgiveyousomethingalittlemorerecent。
　　ThisistheDevonCountyChronicleofMay14thofthisyear。ItisashortaccountofthefactselicitedatthedeathofSirCharlesBaskervillewhichoccurredafewdaysbeforethatdate。’
　　Myfriendleanedalittleforwardandhisexpressionbecameintent。
　　Ourvisitorreadjustedhisglassesandbegan：
　　`TherecentsuddendeathofSirCharlesBaskerville，whosenamehasbeenmentionedastheprobableLiberalcandidateforMid—Devonatthenextelection，hascastagloomoverthecounty。ThoughSirCharleshadresidedatBaskervilleHallforacomparativelyshortperiodhisamiabilityofcharacterandextremegenerosityhadwontheaffectionandrespectofallwhohadbeenbroughtintocontactwithhim。Inthesedaysofnouveauxrichesitisrefreshingtofindacasewherethescionofanoldcountyfamilywhichhasfallenuponevildaysisabletomakehisownfortuneandtobringitbackwithhimtorestorethefallengrandeurofhisline。
　　SirCharles，asiswellknown，madelargesumsofmoneyinSouthAfricanspeculation。Morewisethanthosewhogoonuntilthewheelturnsagainstthem，herealizedhisgainsandreturnedtoEnglandwiththem。ItisonlytwoyearssincehetookuphisresidenceatBaskervilleHall，anditiscommontalkhowlargewerethoseschemesofreconstructionandimprovementwhichhavebeeninterruptedbyhisdeath。Beinghimselfchildless，itwashisopenlyexpresseddesirethatthewholecountrysideshould，withinhisownlifetime，profitbyhisgoodfortune，andmanywillhavepersonalreasonsforbewailinghisuntimelyend。Hisgenerousdonationstolocalandcountycharitieshavebeenfrequentlychronicledinthesecolumns。
　　`ThecircumstancesconnectedwiththedeathofSirCharlescannotbesaidtohavebeenentirelyclearedupbytheinquest，butatleastenoughhasbeendonetodisposeofthoserumourstowhichlocalsuperstitionhasgivenrise。Thereisnoreasonwhatevertosuspectfoulplay，ortoimaginethatdeathcouldbefromanybutnaturalcauses。SirCharleswasawidower，andamanwhomaybesaidtohavebeeninsomewaysofaneccentrichabitofmind。Inspiteofhisconsiderablewealthhewassimpleinhispersonaltastes，andhisindoorservantsatBaskervilleHallconsistedofamarriedcouplenamedBarrymore，thehusbandactingasbutlerandthewifeashousekeeper。
　　Theirevidence，corroboratedbythatofseveralfriends，tendstoshowthatSirCharles’shealthhasforsometimebeenimpaired，andpointsespeciallytosomeaffectionoftheheart，manifestingitselfinchangesofcolour，breathlessness，andacuteattacksofnervousdepression。Dr。JamesMortimer，thefriendandmedicalattendantofthedeceased，hasgivenevidencetothesameeffect。
　　`Thefactsofthecasearesimple。SirCharlesBaskervillewasinthehabiteverynightbeforegoingtobedofwalkingdownthefamousyewalleyofBaskervilleHall。TheevidenceoftheBarrymoresshowsthatthishadbeenhiscustom。OnthefourthofMaySirCharleshaddeclaredhisintentionofstartingnextdayforLondon，andhadorderedBarrymoretopreparehisluggage。Thatnighthewentoutasusualforhisnocturnalwalk，inthecourseofwhichhewasinthehabitofsmokingacigar。Heneverreturned。Attwelveo’clockBarrymore，findingthehalldoorstillopen，becamealarmed，and，lightingalantern，wentinsearchofhismaster。
　　Thedayhadbeenwet，andSirCharles’sfootmarkswereeasilytraceddownthealley。Halfwaydownthiswalkthereisagatewhichleadsoutontothemoor。TherewereindicationsthatSirCharleshadstoodforsomelittletimehere。Hethenproceededdownthealley，anditwasatthefarendofitthathisbodywasdiscovered。
　　OnefactwhichhasnotbeenexplainedisthestatementofBarrymorethathismaster’sfootprintsalteredtheircharacterfromthetimethathepassedthemoor—gate，andthatheappearedfromthenceonwardtohavebeenwalkinguponhistoes。OneMurphy，agipsyhorse—dealer，wasonthemooratnogreatdistanceatthetime，butheappearsbyhisownconfessiontohavebeentheworsefordrink。Hedeclaresthatheheardcriesbutisunabletostatefromwhatdirectiontheycame。NosignsofviolenceweretobediscovereduponSirCharles’sperson，andthoughthedoctor’sevidencepointedtoanalmostincrediblefacialdistortion—sogreatthatDr。Mortimerrefusedatfirsttobelievethatitwasindeedhisfriendandpatientwholaybeforehim—itwasexplainedthatthatisasymptomwhichisnotunusualincasesofdyspnoeaanddeathfromcardiacexhaustion。Thisexplanationwasborneoutbythepost—mortemexamination，whichshowedlong—standingorganicdisease，andthecoroner’sjuryreturnedaverdictinaccordancewiththemedicalevidence。Itiswellthatthisisso，foritisobviouslyoftheutmostimportancethatSirCharles’sheirshouldsettleattheHallandcontinuethegoodworkwhichhasbeensosadlyinterrupted。Hadtheprosaicfindingofthecoronernotfinallyputanendtotheromanticstorieswhichhavebeenwhisperedinconnectionwiththeaffair，itmighthavebeendifficulttofindatenantforBaskervilleHall。ItisunderstoodthatthenextofkinisMr。HenryBaskerville，ifhebestillalive，thesonofSirCharlesBaskerville’syoungerbrother。TheyoungmanwhenlastheardofwasinAmerica，andinquiriesarebeinginstitutedwithaviewtoinforminghimofhisgoodfortune。’Dr。Mortimerrefoldedhispaperandreplaceditinhispocket。
　　`Thosearethepublicfacts，Mr。Holmes，inconnectionwiththedeathofSirCharlesBaskerville。’
　　`Imustthankyou，’saidSherlockHolmes，`forcallingmyattentiontoacasewhichcertainlypresentssomefeaturesofinterest。Ihadobservedsomenewspapercommentatthetime，butIwasexceedinglypreoccupiedbythatlittleaffairoftheVaticancameos，andinmyanxietytoobligethePopeIlosttouchwithseveralinterestingEnglishcases。Thisarticle，yousay，containsallthepublicfacts？’
　　`Itdoes。’
　　`Thenletmehavetheprivateones。’Heleanedback，puthisfinger—tipstogether，andassumedhismostimpassiveandjudicialexpression。
　　`Indoingso，’saidDr。Mortimer，whohadbeguntoshowsignsofsomestrongemotion，`IamtellingthatwhichIhavenotconfidedtoanyone。Mymotiveforwithholdingitfromthecoroner’sinquiryisthatamanofscienceshrinksfromplacinghimselfinthepublicpositionofseemingtoindorseapopularsuperstition。IhadthefurthermotivethatBaskervilleHall，asthepapersays，wouldcertainlyremainuntenantedifanythingweredonetoincreaseitsalreadyrathergrimreputation。ForboththesereasonsIthoughtthatIwasjustifiedintellingratherlessthanIknew，sincenopracticalgoodcouldresultfromit，butwithyouthereisnoreasonwhyIshouldnotbeperfectlyfrank。
　　`Themoorisverysparselyinhabited，andthosewholiveneareachotherarethrownverymuchtogether。ForthisreasonIsawagooddealofSirCharlesBaskerville。WiththeexceptionofMr。Frankland，ofLafterHall，andMr。Stapleton，thenaturalist，therearenoothermenofeducationwithinmanymiles。SirCharleswasaretiringman，butthechanceofhisillnessbroughtustogether，andacommunityofinterestsinsciencekeptusso。HehadbroughtbackmuchscientificinformationfromSouthAfrica，andmanyacharmingeveningwehavespenttogetherdiscussingthecomparativeanatomyoftheBushmanandtheHottentot。
　　`WithinthelastfewmonthsitbecameincreasinglyplaintomethatSirCharles’snervoussystemwasstrainedtothebreakingpoint。HehadtakenthislegendwhichIhavereadyouexceedinglytoheart—somuchsothat，althoughhewouldwalkinhisowngrounds，nothingwouldinducehimtogooutuponthemooratnight。Incredibleasitmayappeartoyou，Mr。Holmes，hewashonestlyconvincedthatadreadfulfateoverhunghisfamily，andcertainlytherecordswhichhewasabletogiveofhisancestorswerenotencouraging。Theideaofsomeghastlypresenceconstantlyhauntedhim，andonmorethanoneoccasionhehasaskedmewhetherIhadonmymedicaljourneysatnighteverseenanystrangecreatureorheardthebayingofahound。Thelatterquestionheputtomeseveraltimes，andalwayswithavoicewhichvibratedwithexcitement。
　　`Icanwellrememberdrivinguptohishouseintheeveningsomethreeweeksbeforethefatalevent。Hechancedtobeathishalldoor。
　　Ihaddescendedfrommygigandwasstandinginfrontofhim，whenIsawhiseyesfixthemselvesovermyshoulderandstarepastmewithanexpressionofthemostdreadfulhorror。
　　IwhiskedroundandhadjusttimetocatchaglimpseofsomethingwhichItooktobealargeblackcalfpassingattheheadofthedrive。
　　SoexcitedandalarmedwashethatIwascompelledtogodowntothespotwheretheanimalhadbeenandlookaroundforit。Itwasgone，however，andtheincidentappearedtomaketheworstimpressionuponhismind。I
　　stayedwithhimalltheevening，anditwasonthatoccasion，toexplaintheemotionwhichhehadshown，thatheconfidedtomykeepingthatnarrativewhichIreadtoyouwhenfirstIcame。Imentionthissmallepisodebecauseitassumessomeimportanceinviewofthetragedywhichfollowed，butI
　　wasconvincedatthetimethatthematterwasentirelytrivialandthathisexcitementhadnojustification。
　　`ItwasatmyadvicethatSirCharleswasabouttogotoLondon。
　　Hisheartwas，Iknew，affected，andtheconstantanxietyinwhichhelived，howeverchimericalthecauseofitmightbe，wasevidentlyhavingaseriouseffectuponhishealth。Ithoughtthatafewmonthsamongthedistractionsoftownwouldsendhimbackanewman。Mr。Stapleton，amutualfriendwhowasmuchconcernedathisstateofhealth，wasofthesameopinion。Atthelastinstantcamethisterriblecatastrophe。
　　`OnthenightofSirCharles’sdeathBarrymorethebutlerwhomadethediscovery，sentPerkinsthegroomonhorsebacktome，andasI
　　wassittinguplateIwasabletoreachBaskervilleHallwithinanhouroftheevent。Icheckedandcorroboratedallthefactswhichwerementionedattheinquest。Ifollowedthefootstepsdowntheyewalley，Isawthespotatthemoor—gatewhereheseemedtohavewaited，Iremarkedthechangeintheshapeoftheprintsafterthatpoint，InotedthattherewerenootherfootstepssavethoseofBarrymoreonthesoftgravel，andfinallyIcarefullyexaminedthebody，whichhadnotbeentoucheduntilmyarrival。
　　SirCharleslayonhisface，hisarmsout，hisfingersdugintotheground，andhisfeaturesconvulsedwithsomestrongemotiontosuchanextentthatIcouldhardlyhavesworntohisidentity。Therewascertainlynophysicalinjuryofanykind。ButonefalsestatementwasmadebyBarrymoreattheinquest。Hesaidthattherewerenotracesuponthegroundroundthebody。
　　Hedidnotobserveany。ButIdid—somelittledistanceoff，butfreshandclear。’
　　`Footprints？’
　　`Footprints。’
　　`Aman’sorawoman’s？’
　　Dr。Mortimerlookedstrangelyatusforaninstant，andhisvoicesankalmosttoawhisperasheanswered：
　　`Mr。Holmes，theywerethefootprintsofagigantichound！’
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles03[TableofContents]Chapter3TheProblemIconfessatthesewordsashudderpassedthroughme。Therewasathrillinthedoctor’svoicewhichshowedthathewashimselfdeeplymovedbythatwhichhetoldus。Holmesleanedforwardinhisexcitementandhiseyeshadthehard，dryglitterwhichshotfromthemwhenhewaskeenlyinterested。
　　`Yousawthis？’
　　`AsclearlyasIseeyou。’
　　`Andyousaidnothing？’
　　`Whatwastheuse？’
　　`Howwasitthatnooneelsesawit？’
　　`Themarksweresometwentyyardsfromthebodyandnoonegavethemathought。Idon’tsupposeIshouldhavedonesohadInotknownthislegend。’
　　`Therearemanysheep—dogsonthemoor？’
　　`Nodoubt，butthiswasnosheep—dog。’
　　`Yousayitwaslarge？’
　　`Enormous。’
　　`Butithadnotapproachedthebody？’
　　`No。’
　　`Whatsortofnightwasit？’
　　`Dampandraw。’
　　`Butnotactuallyraining？’
　　`No。’
　　`Whatisthealleylike？’
　　`Therearetwolinesofoldyewhedge，twelvefeethighandimpenetrable。Thewalkinthecentreisabouteightfeetacross。
　　’
　　`Isthereanythingbetweenthehedgesandthewalk？’
　　`Yes，thereisastripofgrassaboutsixfeetbroadoneitherside。’
　　`Iunderstandthattheyewhedgeispenetratedatonepointbyagate？’
　　`Yes，thewicket—gatewhichleadsontothemoor。’
　　`Isthereanyotheropening？’
　　`None。’
　　`Sothattoreachtheyewalleyoneeitherhastocomedownitfromthehouseorelsetoenteritbythemoor—gate？’
　　`Thereisanexitthroughasummer—houseatthefarend。’
　　`HadSirCharlesreachedthis？’
　　`No;helayaboutfiftyyardsfromit。’
　　`Now，tellme，Dr。Mortimer—andthisisimportant—themarkswhichyousawwereonthepathandnotonthegrass？’
　　`Nomarkscouldshowonthegrass。’
　　`Weretheyonthesamesideofthepathasthemoor—gate？’
　　`Yes;theywereontheedgeofthepathonthesamesideasthemoor—gate。’
　　`Youinterestmeexceedingly。Anotherpoint。Wasthewicket—gateclosed？’
　　`Closedandpadlocked。’
　　`Howhighwasit？’
　　`Aboutfourfeethigh。’
　　`Thenanyonecouldhavegotoverit？’
　　`Yes。’
　　`Andwhatmarksdidyouseebythewicket—gate？’
　　`Noneinparticular。’
　　`Goodheaven！Didnooneexamine？’
　　`Yes，Iexamined，myself。’
　　`Andfoundnothing？’
　　`Itwasallveryconfused。SirCharleshadevidentlystoodthereforfiveortenminutes。’
　　`Howdoyouknowthat？’
　　`Becausetheashhadtwicedroppedfromhiscigar。’
　　`Excellent！Thisisacolleague，Watson，afterourownheart。
　　Butthemarks？’
　　`Hehadlefthisownmarksalloverthatsmallpatchofgravel。
　　Icoulddiscernnoothers。’
　　SherlockHolmesstruckhishandagainsthiskneewithanimpatientgesture。
　　`IfIhadonlybeenthere！’hecried。`Itisevidentlyacaseofextraordinaryinterest，andonewhichpresentedimmenseopportunitiestothescientificexpert。ThatgravelpageuponwhichImighthavereadsomuchhasbeenlongerethissmudgedbytherainanddefacedbytheclogsofcuriouspeasants。Oh，Dr。Mortimer，Dr。Mortimer，tothinkthatyoushouldnothavecalledmein！Youhaveindeedmuchtoanswerfor。’
　　`Icouldnotcallyouin，Mr。Holmes，withoutdisclosingthesefactstotheworld，andIhavealreadygivenmyreasonsfornotwishingtodoso。Besides，besides—’
　　`Whydoyouhesitate？’
　　`Thereisarealminwhichthemostacuteandmostexperiencedofdetectivesishelpless。’
　　`Youmeanthatthethingissupernatural？’
　　`Ididnotpositivelysayso。’
　　`No，butyouevidentlythinkit。’
　　`Sincethetragedy，Mr。Holmes，therehavecometomyearsseveralincidentswhicharehardtoreconcilewiththesettledorderofNature。’
　　`Forexample？’
　　`IfindthatbeforetheterribleeventoccurredseveralpeoplehadseenacreatureuponthemoorwhichcorrespondswiththisBaskervilledemon，andwhichcouldnotpossiblybeanyanimalknowntoscience。Theyallagreedthatitwasahugecreature，luminous，ghastly，andspectral。
　　Ihavecross—examinedthesemen，oneofthemahard—headedcountryman，oneafarrier，andoneamoorlandfarmer，whoalltellthesamestoryofthisdreadfulapparition，exactlycorrespondingtothehell—houndofthelegend。Iassureyouthatthereisareignofterrorinthedistrict，andthatitisahardymanwhowillcrossthemooratnight。’
　　`Andyou，atrainedmanofscience，believeittobesupernatural？’
　　`Idonotknowwhattobelieve。’
　　Holmesshruggedhisshoulders。
　　`Ihavehithertoconfinedmyinvestigationstothisworld，’saidhe。`InamodestwayIhavecombatedevil，buttotakeontheFatherofEvilhimselfwould，perhaps，betooambitiousatask。Yetyoumustadmitthatthefootmarkismaterial。’
　　`Theoriginalhoundwasmaterialenoughtotugaman’sthroatout，andyethewasdiabolicalaswell。’
　　`Iseethatyouhavequitegoneovertothesupernaturalists。
　　Butnow，Dr。Mortimer，tellmethis。Ifyouholdtheseviewswhyhaveyoucometoconsultmeatall？YoutellmeinthesamebreaththatitisuselesstoinvestigateSirCharles’sdeath，andthatyoudesiremetodoit。’
　　`IdidnotsaythatIdesiredyoutodoit。’
　　`Then，howcanIassistyou？’
　　`ByadvisingmeastowhatIshoulddowithSirHenryBaskerville，whoarrivesatWaterlooStation’—Dr。Mortimerlookedathiswatch—`inexactlyonehourandaquarter。’
　　`Hebeingtheheir？’
　　`Yes。OnthedeathofSirCharlesweinquiredforthisyounggentlemanandfoundthathehadbeenfarminginCanada。Fromtheaccountswhichhavereachedusheisanexcellentfellowineveryway。IspeaknownotasamedicalmanbutasatrusteeandexecutorofSirCharles’swill。’
　　`Thereisnootherclaimant，Ipresume？’
　　`None。TheonlyotherkinsmanwhomwehavebeenabletotracewasRodgerBaskerville，theyoungestofthreebrothersofwhompoorSirCharleswastheelder。Thesecondbrother，whodiedyoung，isthefatherofthisladHenry。Thethird，Rodger，wastheblacksheepofthefamily。
　　HecameoftheoldmasterfulBaskervillestrainandwastheveryimage，theytellme，ofthefamilypictureofoldHugo。HemadeEnglandtoohottoholdhim，fledtoCentralAmerica，anddiedtherein1876ofyellowfever。HenryisthelastoftheBaskervilles。InonehourandfiveminutesImeethimatWaterlooStation。IhavehadawirethathearrivedatSouthamptonthismorning。Now，Mr。Holmes，whatwouldyouadvisemetodowithhim？’
　　`Whyshouldhenotgotothehomeofhisfathers？’
　　`Itseemsnatural，doesitnot？Andyet，considerthateveryBaskervillewhogoestheremeetswithanevilfate。IfeelsurethatifSirCharlescouldhavespokenwithmebeforehisdeathhewouldhavewarnedmeagainstbringingthis，thelastoftheoldrace，andtheheirtogreatwealth，tothatdeadlyplace。Andyetitcannotbedeniedthattheprosperityofthewholepoor，bleakcountrysidedependsuponhispresence。AllthegoodworkwhichhasbeendonebySirCharleswillcrashtothegroundifthereisnotenantoftheHall。IfearlestIshouldbeswayedtoomuchbymyownobviousinterestinthematter，andthatiswhyIbringthecasebeforeyouandaskforyouradvice。’
　　Holmesconsideredforalittletime。
　　`Putintoplainwords，thematteristhis，’saidhe。`InyouropinionthereisadiabolicalagencywhichmakesDartmooranunsafeabodeforaBaskerville—thatisyouropinion？’
　　`AtleastImightgothelengthofsayingthatthereissomeevidencethatthismaybeso。’
　　`Exactly。Butsurely，ifyoursupernaturaltheorybecorrect，itcouldworktheyoungmanevilinLondonaseasilyasinDevonshire。
　　Adevilwithmerelylocalpowerslikeaparishvestrywouldbetooinconceivableathing。’
　　`Youputthemattermoreflippantly，Mr。Holmes，thanyouwouldprobablydoifyouwerebroughtintopersonalcontactwiththesethings。
　　Youradvice，then，asIunderstandit，isthattheyoungmanwillbeassafeinDevonshireasinLondon。Hecomesinfiftyminutes。Whatwouldyourecommend？’
　　`Irecommend，sir，thatyoutakeacab，calloffyourspanielwhoisscratchingatmyfrontdoor，andproceedtoWaterlootomeetSirHenryBaskerville。’
　　`Andthen？’
　　`AndthenyouwillsaynothingtohimatalluntilIhavemadeupmymindaboutthematter。’
　　`Howlongwillittakeyoutomakeupyourmind？’
　　`Twenty—fourhours。Atteno’clockto—morrow，Dr。Mortimer，I
　　willbemuchobligedtoyouifyouwillcalluponmehere，anditwillbeofhelptomeinmyplansforthefutureifyouwillbringSirHenryBaskervillewithyou。’
　　`Iwilldoso，Mr。Holmes。’Hescribbledtheappointmentonhisshirt—cuffandhurriedoffinhisstrange，peering，absentmindedfashion。
　　Holmesstoppedhimattheheadofthestair。
　　`Onlyonemorequestion，Dr。Mortimer。YousaythatbeforeSirCharlesBaskerville’sdeathseveralpeoplesawthisapparitionuponthemoor？’
　　`Threepeopledid。’
　　`Didanyseeitafter？’
　　`Ihavenotheardofany。’
　　`Thankyou。Good—morning。’
　　Holmesreturnedtohisseatwiththatquietlookofinwardsatisfactionwhichmeantthathehadacongenialtaskbeforehim。
　　`Goingout，Watson？’
　　`UnlessIcanhelpyou。’
　　`No，mydearfellow，itisatthehourofactionthatIturntoyouforaid。Butthisissplendid，reallyuniquefromsomepointsofview。
　　WhenyoupassBradley’s，wouldyouaskhimtosendupapoundofthestrongestshagtobacco？Thankyou。Itwouldbeaswellifyoucouldmakeitconvenientnottoreturnbeforeevening。ThenIshouldbeverygladtocompareimpressionsastothismostinterestingproblemwhichhasbeensubminedtousthismorning。’
　　Iknewthatseclusionandsolitudewereverynecessaryformyfriendinthosehoursofintensementalconcentrationduringwhichheweighedeveryparticleofevidence，constructedalternativetheories，balancedoneagainsttheother，andmadeuphismindastowhichpointswereessentialandwhichimmaterial。IthereforespentthedayatmyclubanddidnotreturntoBakerStreetuntilevening。Itwasnearlynineo’clockwhenI
　　foundmyselfinthesitting—roomoncemore。
　　MyfirstimpressionasIopenedthedoorwasthatafirehadbrokenout，fortheroomwassofilledwithsmokethatthelightofthelampuponthetablewasblurredbyit。AsIentered，however，myfearsweresetatrest，foritwastheacridfumesofstrongcoarsetobaccowhichtookmebythethroatandsetmecoughing。ThroughthehazeIhadavaguevisionofHolmesinhisdressing—gowncoiledupinanarmchairwithhisblackclaypipebetweenhislips。Severalrollsofpaperlayaroundhim。
　　`Caughtcold，Watson？’saidhe。
　　`No，it’sthispoisonousatmosphere。’
　　`Isupposeitisprettythick，nowthatyoumentionit。’
　　`Thick！Itisintolerable。’
　　`Openthewindow，then！Youhavebeenatyourcluballday，I
　　perceive。’
　　`MydearHolmes！’
　　`AmIright？’
　　`Certainly，buthow？’
　　Helaughedatmybewilderedexpression。
　　`Thereisadelightfulfreshnessaboutyou，Watson，whichmakesitapleasuretoexerciseanysmallpowerswhichIpossessatyourexpense。
　　Agentlemangoesforthonashoweryandmiryday。Hereturnsimmaculateintheeveningwiththeglossstillonhishatandhisboots。Hehasbeenafixturethereforeallday。Heisnotamanwithintimatefriends。Where，then，couldhehavebeen？Isitnotobvious？’
　　`Well，itisratherobvious。’
　　`Theworldisfullofobviousthingswhichnobodybyanychanceeverobserves。WheredoyouthinkthatIhavebeen？’
　　`Afixturealso。’
　　`Onthecontrary，IhavebeentoDevonshire。’
　　`Inspirit？’
　　`Exactly。Mybodyhasremainedinthisarmchairandhas，Iregrettoobserve，consumedinmyabsencetwolargepotsofcoffeeandanincredibleamountoftobacco。AfteryouleftIsentdowntoStamford’sfortheOrdnancemapofthisportionofthemoor，andmyspirithashoveredoveritallday。IflattermyselfthatIcouldfindmywayabout。’
　　`Alarge—scalemap，Ipresume？’
　　`Verylarge。’Heunrolledonesectionandhelditoverhisknee。
　　`Hereyouhavetheparticulardistrictwhichconcernsus。ThatisBaskervilleHallinthemiddle。’
　　`Withawoodroundit？’
　　`Exactly。Ifancytheyewalley，thoughnotmarkedunderthatname，muststretchalongthisline，withthemoor，asyouperceive，upontherightofit。ThissmallclumpofbuildingshereisthehamletofGrimpen，whereourfriendDr。Mortimerhashisheadquarters。Withinaradiusoffivemilesthereare，asyousee，onlyaveryfewscattereddwellings。
　　HereisLafterHall，whichwasmentionedinthenarrative。Thereisahouseindicatedherewhichmaybetheresidenceofthenaturalist—Stapleton，ifIrememberright，washisname。Herearetwomoorlandfarmhouses，HighTorandFoulmire。ThenfourteenmilesawaythegreatconvictprisonofPrincetown。Betweenandaroundthesescatteredpointsextendsthedesolate，lifelessmoor。This，then，isthestageuponwhichtragedyhasbeenplayed，anduponwhichwemayhelptoplayitagain。’
　　`Itmustbeawildplace。’
　　`Yes，thesettingisaworthyone。Ifthedevildiddesiretohaveahandintheaffairsofmen—’
　　`Thenyouareyourselfincliningtothesupernaturalexplanation。’
　　`Thedevil’sagentsmaybeoffleshandblood，maytheynot？Therearetwoquestionswaitingforusattheoutset。Theoneiswhetheranycrimehasbeencommittedatall;thesecondis，whatisthecrimeandhowwasitcommitted？Ofcourse，ifDr。Mortimer’ssurmiseshouldbecorrect，andwearedealingwithforcesoutsidetheordinarylawsofNature，thereisanendofourinvestigation。Butweareboundtoexhaustallotherhypothesesbeforefallingbackuponthisone。Ithinkwe’llshutthatwindowagain，ifyoudon’tmind。Itisasingularthing，butIfindthataconcentratedatmospherehelpsaconcentrationofthought。Ihavenotpushedittothelengthofgettingintoaboxtothink，butthatisthelogicaloutcomeofmyconvictions。Haveyouturnedthecaseoverinyourmind？’
　　`Yes，Ihavethoughtagooddealofitinthecourseoftheday。’
　　`Whatdoyoumakeofit？’
　　`Itisverybewildering。’
　　`Ithascertainlyacharacterofitsown。Therearepointsofdistinctionaboutit。Thatchangeinthefootprints，forexample。Whatdoyoumakeofthat？’
　　`Mortimersaidthatthemanhadwalkedontiptoedownthatportionofthealley。’
　　`HeonlyrepeatedwhatsomefoolhadsaidattheinquestWhyshouldamanwalkontiptoedownthealley？’
　　`Whatthen？’
　　`Hewasrunning，Watson—runningdesperately，runningforhislife，runninguntilhebursthisheart—andfelldeaduponhisface。’
　　`Runningfromwhat？’
　　`Thereliesourproblem。Thereareindicationsthatthemanwascrazedwithfearbeforeeverhebegantorun。’
　　`Howcanyousaythat？’
　　`Iampresumingthatthecauseofhisfearscametohimacrossthemoor。Ifthatwereso，anditseemsmostprobableonlyamanwhohadlosthiswitswouldhaverunfromthehouseinsteadoftowardsit。Ifthegipsy’sevidencemaybetakenastrue，heranwithcriesforhelpinthedirectionwherehelpwasleastlikelytobe。Then，again，whomwashewaitingforthatnight，andwhywashewaitingforhimintheyewalleyratherthaninhisownhouse？’
　　`Youthinkthathewaswaitingforsomeone？’
　　`Themanwaselderlyandinfirm。Wecanunderstandhistakinganeveningstroll，butthegroundwasdampandthenightinclement。Isitnaturalthatheshouldstandforfiveortenminutes，asDr。Mortimer，withmorepracticalsensethanIshouldhavegivenhimcreditfor，deducedfromthecigarash？’
　　`Buthewentouteveryevening。’
　　`Ithinkitunlikelythathewaitedatthemoor—gateeveryevening。
　　Onthecontrary，theevidenceisthatheavoidedthemoor。Thatnighthewaitedthere。ItwasthenightbeforehemadehisdepartureforLondon。
　　Thethingtakesshape，Watson。Itbecomescoherent。MightIaskyoutohandmemyviolin，andwewillpostponeallfurtherthoughtuponthisbusinessuntilwehavehadtheadvantageofmeetingDr。MortimerandSirHenryBaskervilleinthemorning。’
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles04[TableofContents]Chapter4SirHenryBaskervilleOurbreakfasttablewasclearedearly，andHolmeswaitedinhisdressing—gownforthepromisedinterview。Ourclientswerepunctualtotheirappointment，fortheclockhadjuststrucktenwhenDr。Mortimerwasshownup，followedbytheyoungbaronet。Thelatterwasasmall，alert，dark—eyedmanaboutthirtyyearsofage，verysturdilybuilt，withthickblackeyebrowsandastrong，pugnaciousface。Heworearuddy—tintedtweedsuitandhadtheweather—beatenappearanceofonewhohasspentmostofhistimeintheopenair，andyettherewassomethinginhissteadyeyeandthequietassuranceofhisbearingwhichindicatedthegentleman。
　　`ThisisSirHenryBaskerville，’saidDr。Mortimer。
　　`Why，yes，’saidhe，`andthestrangethingis，Mr。SherlockHolmes，thatifmyfriendherehadnotproposedcomingroundtoyouthismorningIshouldhavecomeonmyownaccount。Iunderstandthatyouthinkoutlittlepuzzles，andI’vehadonethismorningwhichwantsmorethinkingoutthanIamabletogiveit。’
　　`Praytakeaseat，SirHenry。DoIunderstandyoutosaythatyouhaveyourselfhadsomeremarkableexperiencesinceyouarrivedinLondon？’
　　`Nothingofmuchimportance，Mr。Holmes。Onlyajoke，aslikeasnot。Itwasthisletter，ifyoucancallitaletter，whichreachedmethismorning。’
　　Helaidanenvelopeuponthetable，andweallbentoverit。Itwasofcommonquality，grayishincolour。Theaddress，`SirHenryBaskerville，NorthumberlandHotel，’wasprintedinroughcharacters;thepost—mark`CharingCross，’andthedateofpostingtheprecedingevening。
　　`WhoknewthatyouweregoingtotheNorthumberlandHotel？’askedHolmes，glancingkeenlyacrossatourvisitor。