TheHallandthemoorarenotverypleasantplaceswhenoneisalone。’
`Mydearfellow，youmusttrustmeimplicitlyanddoexactlywhatItellyou。Youcantellyourfriendsthatweshouldhavebeenhappytohavecomewithyou，butthaturgentbusinessrequiredustobeintown。
WehopeverysoontoreturntoDevonshire。Willyouremembertogivethemthatmessage？’
`Ifyouinsistuponit。’
`Thereisnoalternative，Iassureyou。’
Isawbythebaronet’scloudedbrowthathewasdeeplyhurtbywhatheregardedasourdesertion。
`Whendoyoudesiretogo？’heaskedcoldly。
`Immediatelyafterbreakfast。WewilldriveintoCoombeTracey，butWatsonwillleavehisthingsasapledgethathewillcomebacktoyou。Watson，youwillsendanotetoStapletontotellhimthatyouregretthatyoucannotcome。’
`IhaveagoodmindtogotoLondonwithyou，’saidthebaronet。
`WhyshouldIstayherealone？’
`Becauseitisyourpostofduty。Becauseyougavemeyourwordthatyouwoulddoasyouweretold，andItellyoutostay。’
`Allright，then，I’llstay。’
`Onemoredirection！IwishyoutodrivetoMerripitHouseSendbackyourtrap，however，andletthemknowthatyouintendtowalkhome。’
`Towalkacrossthemoor？’
`Yes。’
`Butthatistheverythingwhichyouhavesooftencautionedmenottodo。’
`Thistimeyoumaydoitwithsafety。IfIhadnoteveryconfidenceinyournerveandcourageIwouldnotsuggestit，butitisessentialthatyoushoulddoit。’
`ThenIwilldoit。’
`AndasyouvalueyourlifedonotgoacrossthemoorinanydirectionsavealongthestraightpathwhichleadsfromMerripitHousetotheGrimpenRoad，andisyournaturalwayhome。’
`Iwilldojustwhatyousay。’
`Verygood。Ishouldbegladtogetawayassoonafterbreakfastaspossible，soastoreachLondonintheafternoon。’
Iwasmuchastoundedbythisprogramme，thoughIrememberedthatHolmeshadsaidtoStapletononthenightbeforethathisvisitwouldterminatenextday。Ithadnotcrossedmymindhowever，thathewouldwishmetogowithhim，norcouldIunderstandhowwecouldbothbeabsentatamomentwhichhehimselfdeclaredtobecritical。Therewasnothingforit，however，butimplicitobedience;sowebadegood—byetoourruefulfriend，andacoupleofhoursafterwardswewereatthestationofCoombeTraceyandhaddispatchedthetrapuponitsreturnjourney。Asmallboywaswaitingupontheplatform。
`Anyorders，sir？’
`Youwilltakethistraintotown，Cartwright。ThemomentyouarriveyouwillsendawiretoSirHenryBaskerville，inmyname，tosaythatifhefindsthepocketbookwhichIhavedroppedheistosenditbyregisteredposttoBakerStreet。’
`Yes，sir。’
`Andaskatthestationofficeifthereisamessageforme。’
Theboyreturnedwithatelegram，whichHolmeshandedtome。Itran：
Wirereceived。Comingdownwithunsignedwarrant。Arrivefive—forty。
Lestrade。`Thatisinanswertomineofthismorning。Heisthebestoftheprofessionals，Ithink，andwemayneedhisassistance。Now，Watson，Ithinkthatwecannotemployourtimebetterthanbycallinguponyouracquaintance，Mrs。LauraLyons。’
Hisplanofcampaignwasbeginningtobeevident。HewouldusethebaronetinordertoconvincetheStapletonsthatwewerereallygone，whileweshouldactuallyreturnattheinstantwhenwewerelikelytobeneeded。ThattelegramfromLondon，ifmentionedbySirHenrytotheStapletons，mustremovethelastsuspicionsfromtheirminds。AlreadyIseemedtoseeournetsdrawingcloseraroundthatleanjawedpike。
Mrs。LauraLyonswasinheroffice，andSherlockHolmesopenedhisinterviewwithafranknessanddirectnesswhichconsiderablyamazedher。
`IaminvestigatingthecircumstanceswhichattendedthedeathofthelateSirCharlesBaskerville，’saidhe。`Myfriendhere，Dr。Watson，hasinformedmeofwhatyouhavecommunicated，andalsoofwhatyouhavewithheldinconnectionwiththatmatter。’
`WhathaveIwithheld？’sheaskeddefiantly。
`YouhaveconfessedthatyouaskedSirCharlestobeatthegateatteno’clock。Weknowthatthatwastheplaceandhourofhisdeath。
Youhavewithheldwhattheconnectionisbetweentheseevents。’
`Thereisnoconnection。’
`Inthatcasethecoincidencemustindeedbeanextraordinaryone。ButIthinkthatweshallsucceedinestablishingaconnection，afterall。Iwishtobeperfectlyfrankwithyou，Mrs。Lyons。Weregardthiscaseasoneofmurder，andtheevidencemayimplicatenotonlyyourfriendMr。Stapletonbuthiswifeaswell。’
Theladysprangfromherchair。
`Hiswife！’shecried。
`Thefactisnolongerasecret。Thepersonwhohaspassedforhissisterisreallyhiswife。’
Mrs。Lyonshadresumedherseat。Herhandsweregraspingthearmsofherchair，andIsawthatthepinknailshadturnedwhitewiththepressureofhergrip。
`Hiswife！’shesaidagain。`Hiswife！Heisnotamarriedman。’
SherlockHolmesshruggedhisshoulders。
`Proveittome！Proveittome！Andifyoucandoso—！’Thefierceflashofhereyessaidmorethananywords。
`Ihavecomepreparedtodoso，’saidHolmes，drawingseveralpapersfromhispocket。`HereisaphotographofthecoupletakeninYorkfouryearsago。Itisindorsed``Mr。andMrs。Vandeleur，’’butyouwillhavenodifficultyinrecognizinghim，andheralso，ifyouknowherbysight。HerearethreewrittendescriptionsbytrustworthywitnessesofMr。andMrs。Vandeleur，whoatthattimekeptSt。Oliver’sprivateschool。
Readthemandseeifyoucandoubttheidentityofthesepeople。’
Sheglancedatthem，andthenlookedupatuswiththesetrigidfaceofadesperatewoman。
`Mr。Holmes，’shesaid，`thismanhadofferedmemarriageonconditionthatIcouldgetadivorcefrommyhusband。Hehasliedtome，thevillain，ineveryconceivableway。Notonewordoftruthhasheevertoldme。Andwhy—why？Iimaginedthatallwasformyownsake。ButnowIseethatIwasneveranythingbutatoolinhishands。WhyshouldIpreservefaithwithhimwhoneverkeptanywithme？WhyshouldItrytoshieldhimfromtheconsequencesofhisownwickedacts？Askmewhatyoulike，andthereisnothingwhichIshallholdback。OnethingIsweartoyou，andthatisthatwhenIwrotetheletterIneverdreamedofanyharmtotheoldgentleman，whohadbeenmykindestfriend。’
`Ientirelybelieveyou，madam，’saidSherlockHolmes。
`Therecitaloftheseeventsmustbeverypainfultoyou，andperhapsitwillmakeiteasierifItellyouwhatoccurred，andyoucancheckmeifImakeanymaterialmistake。ThesendingofthisletterwassuggestedtoyoubyStapleton？’
`Hedictatedit。’
`IpresumethatthereasonhegavewasthatyouwouldreceivehelpfromSirCharlesforthelegalexpensesconnectedwithyourdivorce？’
`Exactly。’
`Andthenafteryouhadsenttheletterhedissuadedyoufromkeepingtheappointment？’
`Hetoldmethatitwouldhurthisself—respectthatanyothermanshouldfindthemoneyforsuchanobject，andthatthoughhewasapoormanhimselfhewoulddevotehislastpennytoremovingtheobstacleswhichdividedus。’
`Heappearstobeaveryconsistentcharacter。Andthenyouheardnothinguntilyoureadthereportsofthedeathinthepaper？’
`No。’
`AndhemadeyousweartosaynothingaboutyourappointmentwithSirCharles？’
`Hedid。Hesaidthatthedeathwasaverymysteriousone，andthatIshouldcertainlybesuspectedifthefactscameout。Hefrightenedmeintoremainingsilent。’
`Quiteso。Butyouhadyoursuspicions？’
Shehesitatedandlookeddown。
`Iknewhim，’shesaid。`ButifhehadkeptfaithwithmeIshouldalwayshavedonesowithhim。’
`Ithinkthatonthewholeyouhavehadafortunateescape，’saidSherlockHolmes。`Youhavehadhiminyourpowerandheknewit，andyetyouarealive。Youhavebeenwalkingforsomemonthsveryneartotheedgeofaprecipice。
Wemustwishyougood—morningnow，Mrs。Lyons，anditisprobablethatyouwillveryshortlyhearfromusagain。’
`Ourcasebecomesroundedoff，anddifficultyafterdifficultythinsawayinfrontofus，’saidHolmesaswestoodwaitingforthearrivaloftheexpressfromtown。`Ishallsoonbeinthepositionofbeingabletoputintoasingleconnectednarrativeoneofthemostsingularandsensationalcrimesofmoderntimes。StudentsofcriminologywillremembertheanalogousincidentsinGodno，inLittleRussia，intheyear’66，andofcoursetherearetheAndersonmurdersinNorthCarolina，butthiscasepossessessomefeatureswhichareentirelyitsown。Evennowwehavenoclearcaseagainstthisverywilyman。ButIshallbeverymuchsurprisedifitisnotclearenoughbeforewegotobedthisnight。’
TheLondonexpresscameroaringintothestation，andasmall，wirybulldogofamanhadsprungfromafirst—classcarriage。Weallthreeshookhands，andIsawatoncefromthereverentialwayinwhichLestradegazedatmycompanionthathehadlearnedagooddealsincethedayswhentheyhadfirstworkedtogether。Icouldwellrememberthescornwhichthetheoriesofthereasonerusedthentoexciteinthepracticalman。
`Anythinggood？’heasked。
`Thebiggestthingforyears，’saidHolmes。`Wehavetwohoursbeforeweneedthinkofstarting。Ithinkwemightemployitingettingsomedinnerandthen，Lestrade，wewilltaketheLondonfogoutofyourthroatbygivingyouabreathofthepurenightairofDartmoor。Neverbeenthere？Ah，well，Idon’tsupposeyouwillforgetyourfirstvisit。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles14[TableofContents]Chapter14TheHoundoftheBaskervillesOneofSherlockHolmes’sdefects—if，indeed，onemaycallitadefect—wasthathewasexceedinglyloathtocommunicatehisfullplanstoanyotherpersonuntiltheinstantoftheirfullfilment。Partlyitcamenodoubtfromhisownmasterfulnature，whichlovedtodominateandsurprisethosewhowerearoundhim。Partlyalsofromhisprofessionalcaution，whichurgedhimnevertotakeanychances。Theresult，however，wasverytryingforthosewhowereactingashisagentsandassistants。Ihadoftensufferedunderit，butnevermoresothanduringthatlongdriveinthedarkness。
Thegreatordealwasinfrontofus;atlastwewereabouttomakeourfinaleffort，andyetHolmeshadsaidnothing，andIcouldonlysurmisewhathiscourseofactionwouldbe。Mynervesthrilledwithanticipationwhenatlastthecoldwinduponourfacesandthedark，voidspacesoneithersideofthenarrowroadtoldmethatwewerebackuponthemooronceagain。Everystrideofthehorsesandeveryturnofthewheelswastakingusnearertooursupremeadventure。
Ourconversationwashamperedbythepresenceofthedriverofthehiredwagonette，sothatwewereforcedtotalkoftrivialmatterswhenournervesweretensewithemotionandanticipation。Itwasarelieftome，afterthatunnaturalrestraint，whenweatlastpassedFrankland’shouseandknewthatweweredrawingneartotheHallandtothesceneofaction。Wedidnotdriveuptothedoorbutgotdownnearthegateoftheavenue。ThewagonettewaspaidoffandorderedtoreturntoCoombeTraceyforthwith，whilewestartedtowalktoMerripitHouse。
`Areyouarmed，Lestrade？’
Thelittledetectivesmiled。
`AslongasIhavemytrousersIhaveahip—pocket，andaslongasIhavemyhip—pocketIhavesomethinginit。’
`Good！MyfriendandIarealsoreadyforemergencies。’
`You’remightycloseaboutthisaffair，Mr。Holmes。What’sthegamenow？’
`Awaitinggame。’
`Myword，itdoesnotseemaverycheerfulplace，’saidthedetectivewithashiver，glancingroundhimatthegloomyslopesofthehillandatthehugelakeoffogwhichlayovertheGrimpenMire。`Iseethelightsofahouseaheadofus。’
`ThatisMerripitHouseandtheendofourjourney。Imustrequestyoutowalkontiptoeandnottotalkaboveawhisper。’
Wemovedcautiouslyalongthetrackasifwewereboundforthehouse，butHolmeshalteduswhenwewereabouttwohundredyardsfromit。
`Thiswilldo，’saidhe。`Theserocksupontherightmakeanadmirablescreen。’
`Wearetowaithere？’
`Yes，weshallmakeourlittleambushhere。Getintothishollow，Lestrade。Youhavebeeninsidethehouse，haveyounot，Watson？Canyoutellthepositionoftherooms？Whatarethoselatticedwindowsatthisend？’
`Ithinktheyarethekitchenwindows。’
`Andtheonebeyond，whichshinessobrightly？’
`Thatiscertainlythedining—room。’
`Theblindsareup。Youknowthelieofthelandbest。Creepforwardquietlyandseewhattheyaredoing—butforheaven’ssakedon’tletthemknowthattheyarewatched！’
Itiptoeddownthepathandstoopedbehindthelowwallwhichsurroundedthestuntedorchard。CreepinginitsshadowIreachedapointwhenceIcouldlookstraightthroughtheuncurtainedwindow。
Therewereonlytwomenintheroom，SirHenryandStapleton。
Theysatwiththeirprofilestowardsmeoneithersideoftheroundtable。
Bothofthemweresmokingcigars，andcoffeeandwinewereinfrontofthem。Stapletonwastalkingwithanimation，butthebaronetlookedpaleanddistrait。Perhapsthethoughtofthatlonelywalkacrosstheill—omenedmoorwasweighingheavilyuponhismind。
AsIwatchedthemStapletonroseandlefttheroom，whileSirHenryfilledhisglassagainandleanedbackinhischair，puffingathiscigar。Iheardthecreakofadoorandthecrispsoundofbootsupongravel。
ThestepspassedalongthepathontheothersideofthewallunderwhichIcrouched。Lookingover，Isawthenaturalistpauseatthedoorofanout—houseinthecorneroftheorchard。Akeyturnedinalock，andashepassedintherewasacuriousscufflingnoisefromwithin。Hewasonlyaminuteorsoinside，andthenIheardthekeyturnoncemoreandhepassedmeandreenteredthehouse。Isawhimrejoinhisguest，andIcreptquietlybacktowheremycompanionswerewaitingtotellthemwhatIhadseen。
`Yousay，Watson，thattheladyisnotthere？’HolmesaskedwhenIhadfinishedmyreport。
`No。’
`Wherecanshebe，then，sincethereisnolightinanyotherroomexceptthekitchen？’
`Icannotthinkwheresheis。’
IhavesaidthatoverthegreatGrimpenMiretherehungadense，whitefog。
Itwasdriftingslowlyinourdirectionandbankeditselfuplikeawallonthatsideofus，lowbutthickandwelldefined。Themoonshoneonit，anditlookedlikeagreatshimmeringice—field，withtheheadsofthedistanttorsasrocksborneuponitssurface。Holmes’sfacewasturnedtowardsit，andhemutteredimpatientlyashewatcheditssluggishdrift。
`It’smovingtowardsus，Watson。’
`Isthatserious？’
`Veryserious，indeed—theonethinguponearthwhichcouldhavedisarrangedmyplans。Hecan’tbeverylong，now。Itisalreadyteno’clock。
Oursuccessandevenhislifemaydependuponhiscomingoutbeforethefogisoverthepath。’
Thenightwasclearandfineaboveus。Thestarsshonecoldandbright，whileahalf—moonbathedthewholesceneinasoft，uncertainlight。
Beforeuslaythedarkbulkofthehouse，itsserratedroofandbristlingchimneyshardoutlinedagainstthesilver—spangledsky。Broadbarsofgoldenlightfromthelowerwindowsstretchedacrosstheorchardandthemoor。
Oneofthemwassuddenlyshutoff。Theservantshadleftthekitchen。Thereonlyremainedthelampinthedining—roomwherethetwomen，themurderoushostandtheunconsciousguest，stillchattedovertheircigars。
Everyminutethatwhitewoollyplainwhichcoveredone—halfofthemoorwasdriftingcloserandclosertothehouse。Alreadythefirstthinwispsofitwerecurlingacrossthegoldensquareofthelightedwindow。
Thefartherwalloftheorchardwasalreadyinvisible，andthetreeswerestandingoutofaswirlofwhitevapour。Aswewatcheditthefog—wreathscamecrawlingroundbothcornersofthehouseandrolledslowlyintoonedensebankonwhichtheupperfloorandtherooffloatedlikeastrangeshipuponashadowysea。Holmesstruckhishandpassionatelyupontherockinfrontofusandstampedhisfeetinhisimpatience。
`Ifheisn’toutinaquarterofanhourthepathwillbecovered。
Inhalfanhourwewon’tbeabletoseeourhandsinfrontofus。’
`Shallwemovefartherbackuponhigherground？’
`Yes，Ithinkitwouldbeaswell。’
Soasthefog—bankflowedonwardwefellbackbeforeituntilwewerehalfamilefromthehouse，andstillthatdensewhitesea，withthemoonsilveringitsupperedge，sweptslowlyandinexorablyon。
`Wearegoingtoofar，’saidHolmes。`Wedarenottakethechanceofhisbeingovertakenbeforehecanreachus。
Atallcostswemustholdourgroundwhereweare。’Hedroppedonhiskneesandclappedhiseartotheground。`ThankGod，IthinkthatIhearhimcoming。’
Asoundofquickstepsbrokethesilenceofthemoor。Crouchingamongthestoneswestaredintentlyatthesilver—tippedbankinfrontofus。Thestepsgrewlouder，andthroughthefog，asthroughacurtain，theresteppedthemanwhomwewereawaiting。Helookedroundhiminsurpriseasheemergedintotheclear，starlitnight。
Thenhecameswiftlyalongthepath，passedclosetowherewelay，andwentonupthelongslopebehindus。Ashewalkedheglancedcontinuallyovereithershoulder，likeamanwhoisillatease。
`Hist！’criedHolmes，andIheardthesharpclickofacockingpistol。`Lookout！It’scoming！’
Therewasathin，crisp，continuouspatterfromsomewhereintheheartofthatcrawlingbank。Thecloudwaswithinfiftyyardsofwherewelay，andweglaredatit，allthree，uncertainwhathorrorwasabouttobreakfromtheheartofit。IwasatHolmes’selbow，andIglancedforaninstantathisface。Itwaspaleandexultant，hiseyesshiningbrightlyinthemoonlight。Butsuddenlytheystartedforwardinarigid，fixedstare，andhislipspartedinamazement。AtthesameinstantLestradegaveayellofterrorandthrewhimselffacedownwardupontheground。Isprangtomyfeet，myinerthandgraspingmypistol，mymindparalyzedbythedreadfulshapewhichhadsprungoutuponusfromtheshadowsofthefog。Ahounditwas，anenormouscoal—blackhound，butnotsuchahoundasmortaleyeshaveeverseen。Fireburstfromitsopenmouth，itseyesglowedwithasmoulderingglare，itsmuzzleandhacklesanddewlapwereoutlinedinflickeringflame。Neverinthedeliriousdreamofadisorderedbraincouldanythingmoresavage，moreappalling，morehellishbeconceivedthanthatdarkformandsavagefacewhichbrokeuponusoutofthewalloffog。
Withlongboundsthehugeblackcreaturewasleapingdownthetrack，followingharduponthefootstepsofourfriend。Soparalyzedwerewebytheapparitionthatweallowedhimtopassbeforewehadrecoveredournerve。ThenHolmesandIbothfiredtogether，andthecreaturegaveahideoushowl，whichshowedthatoneatleasthadhithim。Hedidnotpause，however，butboundedonward。FarawayonthepathwesawSirHenrylookingback，hisfacewhiteinthemoonlight，hishandsraisedinhorror，glaringhelplesslyatthefrightfulthingwhichwashuntinghimdown。
Butthatcryofpainfromthehoundhadblownallourfearstothewinds。Ifhewasvulnerablehewasmortal，andifwecouldwoundhimwecouldkillhim。NeverhaveIseenamanrunasHolmesranthatnight。
Iamreckonedfleetoffoot，butheoutpacedmeasmuchasIoutpacedthelittleprofessional。InfrontofusasweflewupthetrackweheardscreamafterscreamfromSirHenryandthedeeproarofthehound。Iwasintimetoseethebeastspringuponitsvictim，hurlhimtotheground，andworryathisthroat。ButthenextinstantHolmeshademptiedfivebarrelsofhisrevolverintothecreature’sflank。Withalasthowlofagonyandavicioussnapintheair，itrolleduponitsback，fourfeetpawingfuriously，andthenfelllimpuponitsside。Istooped，panting，andpressedmypistoltothedreadful，shimmeringhead，butitwasuselesstopressthetrigger。
Thegianthoundwasdead。
SirHenrylayinsensiblewherehehadfallen。Wetoreawayhiscollar，andHolmesbreathedaprayerofgratitudewhenwesawthattherewasnosignofawoundandthattherescuehadbeenintime。
Alreadyourfriend’seyelidsshiveredandhemadeafeebleefforttomove。Lestradethrusthisbrandy—flaskbetweenthebaronet’steeth，andtwofrightenedeyeswerelookingupatus。
`MyGod！’hewhispered。`Whatwasit？What，inheaven’sname，wasit？’
`It’sdead，whateveritis，’saidHolmes。`We’velaidthefamilyghostonceandforever。’
Inmeresizeandstrengthitwasaterriblecreaturewhichwaslyingstretchedbeforeus。Itwasnotapurebloodhoundanditwasnotapuremastiff;butitappearedtobeacombinationofthetwo—gaunt，savage，andaslargeasasmalllioness。Evennowinthestillnessofdeath，thehugejawsseemedtobedrippingwithabluishflameandthesmall，deep—set，crueleyeswereringedwithfire。Iplacedmyhandupontheglowingmuzzle，andasIheldthemupmyownfingerssmoulderedandgleamedinthedarkness。
`Phosphorus，’Isaid。
`Acunningpreparationofit，’saidHolmes，sniffingatthedeadanimal。`Thereisnosmellwhichmighthaveinterferedwithhispowerofscent。Weoweyouadeepapology，SirHenry，forhavingexposedyoutothisfright。Iwaspreparedforahound，butnotforsuchacreatureasthis。Andthefoggaveuslittletimetoreceivehim。’
`Youhavesavedmylife。’
`Havingfirstendangeredit。Areyoustrongenoughtostand？’
`GivemeanothermouthfulofthatbrandyandIshallbereadyforanything。
So！Now，ifyouwillhelpmeup。Whatdoyouproposetodo？’
`Toleaveyouhere。Youarenotfitforfurtheradventuresto—night。
Ifyouwillwait，oneorotherofuswillgobackwithyoutotheHall。’
Hetriedtostaggertohisfeet;buthewasstillghastlypaleandtremblingineverylimb。Wehelpedhimtoarock，wherehesatshiveringwithhisfaceburiedinhishands。
`Wemustleaveyounow，’saidHolmes。`Therestofourworkmustbedone，andeverymomentisofimportance。Wehaveourcase，andnowweonlywantourman。
`It’sathousandtooneagainstourfindinghimatthehouse，’
hecontinuedasweretracedourstepsswiftlydownthepath。`Thoseshotsmusthavetoldhimthatthegamewasup。’
`Weweresomedistanceoff，andthisfogmayhavedeadenedthem。’
`Hefollowedthehoundtocallhimoff—ofthatyoumaybecertain。
No，no，he’sgonebythistime！Butwe’llsearchthehouseandmakesure。’
Thefrontdoorwasopen，sowerushedinandhurriedfromroomtoroomtotheamazementofadodderingoldmanservant，whometusinthepassage。Therewasnolightsaveinthedining—room，butHolmescaughtupthelampandleftnocornerofthehouseunexplored。Nosigncouldweseeofthemanwhomwewerechasing。Ontheupperfloor，however，oneofthebedroomdoorswaslocked。
`There’ssomeoneinhere，’criedLestrade。`Icanhearamovement。
Openthisdoor！’
Afaintmoaningandrustlingcamefromwithin。Holmesstruckthedoorjustoverthelockwiththeflatofhisfootanditflewopen。Pistolinhand，weallthreerushedintotheroom。
Buttherewasnosignwithinitofthatdesperateanddefiantvillainwhomweexpectedtosee。Insteadwewerefacedbyanobjectsostrangeandsounexpectedthatwestoodforamomentstaringatitinamazement。
Theroomhadbeenfashionedintoasmallmuseum，andthewallswerelinedbyanumberofglass—toppedcasesfullofthatcollectionofbutterfliesandmothstheformationofwhichhadbeentherelaxationofthiscomplexanddangerousman。Inthecentreofthisroomtherewasanuprightbeam，whichhadbeenplacedatsomeperiodasasupportfortheoldworm—eatenbaulkoftimberwhichspannedtheroof。Tothispostafigurewastied，soswathedandmuffledinthesheetswhichhadbeenusedtosecureitthatonecouldnotforthemomenttellwhetheritwasthatofamanorawoman。Onetowelpassedroundthethroatandwassecuredatthebackofthepillar。Anothercoveredthelowerpartoftheface，andoverittwodarkeyes—eyesfullofgriefandshameandadreadfulquestioning—staredbackatus。Inaminutewehadtornoffthegag，unswathedthebonds，andMrs。Stapletonsankuponthefloorinfrontofus。AsherbeautifulheadfelluponherchestIsawtheclearredwealofawhiplashacrossherneck。
`Thebrute！’criedHolmes。`Here，Lestrade，yourbrandy—bottle！
Putherinthechair！Shehasfaintedfromill—usageandexhaustion。’
Sheopenedhereyesagain。
`Ishesafe？’sheasked。`Hasheescaped？’
`Hecannotescapeus，madam。’
`No，no，Ididnotmeanmyhusband。SirHenry？Ishesafe？’
`Yes。’
`Andthehound？’
`Itisdead。’
Shegavealongsighofsatisfaction。
`ThankGod！ThankGod！Oh，thisvillain！Seehowhehastreatedme！’Sheshotherarmsoutfromhersleeves，andwesawwithhorrorthattheywereallmottledwithbruises。`Butthisisnothing—nothing！Itismymindandsoulthathehastorturedanddefiled。Icouldendureitall，ill—usage，solitude，alifeofdeception，everything，aslongasI
couldstillclingtothehopethatIhadhislove，butnowIknowthatinthisalsoIhavebeenhisdupeandhistool。’Shebrokeintopassionatesobbingasshespoke。
`Youbearhimnogoodwill，madam，’saidHolmes。`Tellusthenwhereweshallfindhim。Ifyouhaveeveraidedhiminevil，helpusnowandsoatone。’
`Thereisbutoneplacewherehecanhavefled，’sheanswered。
`Thereisanoldtinmineonanislandintheheartofthemire。Itwastherethathekepthishoundandtherealsohehadmadepreparationssothathemighthavearefuge。Thatiswherehewouldfly。’
Thefog—banklaylikewhitewoolagainstthewindow。Holmesheldthelamptowardsit。
`See，’saidhe。`NoonecouldfindhiswayintotheGrimpenMireto—night。’
Shelaughedandclappedherhands。Hereyesandteethgleamedwithfiercemerriment`Hemayfindhiswayin，butneverout，’shecried。`Howcanheseetheguidingwandsto—night？Weplantedthemtogether，heandI，tomarkthepathwaythroughthemire。Oh，ifIcouldonlyhavepluckedthemoutto—day。Thenindeedyouwouldhavehadhimatyourmercy！’
Itwasevidenttousthatallpursuitwasinvainuntilthefoghadlifted。
MeanwhileweleftLestradeinpossessionofthehousewhileHolmesandIwentbackwiththebaronettoBaskervilleHall。ThestoryoftheStapletonscouldnolongerbewithheldfromhim，buthetooktheblowbravelywhenhelearnedthetruthaboutthewomanwhomhehadloved。Buttheshockofthenight’sadventureshadshatteredhisnerves，andbeforemorninghelaydeliriousinahighfeverunderthecareofDr。Mortimer。ThetwoofthemweredestinedtotraveltogetherroundtheworldbeforeSirHenryhadbecomeoncemorethehale，heartymanthathehadbeenbeforehebecamemasterofthatill—omenedestate。
AndnowIcomerapidlytotheconclusionofthissingularnarrative，inwhichIhavetriedtomakethereadersharethosedarkfearsandvaguesurmiseswhichcloudedourlivessolongandendedinsotragicamanner。
OnthemorningafterthedeathofthehoundthefoghadliftedandwewereguidedbyMrs。Stapletontothepointwheretheyhadfoundapathwaythroughthebog。Ithelpedustorealizethehorrorofthiswoman’slifewhenwesawtheeagernessandjoywithwhichshelaidusonherhusband’strack。
Weleftherstandinguponthethinpeninsulaoffirm，peatysoilwhichtaperedoutintothewidespreadbog。Fromtheendofitasmallwandplantedhereandthereshowedwherethepathzigzaggedfromtufttotuftofrushesamongthosegreen—scummedpitsandfoulquagmireswhichbarredthewaytothestranger。Rankreedsandlush，slimywater—plantssentanodourofdecayandaheavymiasmaticvapourontoourfaces，whileafalsestepplungedusmorethanoncethigh—deepintothedark，quiveringmire，whichshookforyardsinsoftundulationsaroundourfeet。Itstenaciousgrippluckedatourheelsaswewalked，andwhenwesankintoititwasasifsomemalignanthandwastuggingusdownintothoseobscenedepths，sogrimandpurposefulwastheclutchinwhichitheldus。Onceonlywesawatracethatsomeonehadpassedthatperilouswaybeforeus。Fromamidatuftofcottongrasswhichboreitupoutoftheslimesomedarkthingwasprojecting。
Holmessanktohiswaistashesteppedfromthepathtoseizeit，andhadwenotbeentheretodraghimouthecouldneverhavesethisfootuponfirmlandagain。Heheldanoldblackbootintheair。
`Meyers，Toronto，’wasprintedontheleatherinside。
`Itisworthamudbath，’saidhe。`ItisourfriendSirHenry’smissingboot。’
`ThrowntherebyStapletoninhisflight。’
`Exactly。Heretaineditinhishandafterusingittosetthehounduponthetrack。Hefledwhenheknewthegamewasup，stillclutchingit。Andhehurleditawayatthispointofhisflight。Weknowatleastthathecamesofarinsafety。’
Butmorethanthatwewereneverdestinedtoknow，thoughtherewasmuchwhichwemightsurmise。Therewasnochanceoffindingfootstepsinthemire，fortherisingmudoozedswiftlyinuponthem，butasweatlastreachedfirmergroundbeyondthemorasswealllookedeagerlyforthem。Butnoslightestsignofthemevermetoureyes。Iftheearthtoldatruestory，thenStapletonneverreachedthatislandofrefugetowardswhichhestruggledthroughthefoguponthatlastnight。SomewhereintheheartofthegreatGrimpenMire，downinthefoulslimeofthehugemorasswhichhadsuckedhimin，thiscoldandcruel—heartedmanisforeverburied。
Manytraceswefoundofhiminthebog—girtislandwherehehadhidhissavageally。Ahugedriving—wheelandashafthalf—filledwithrubbishshowedthepositionofanabandonedmine。Besideitwerethecrumblingremainsofthecottagesoftheminers，drivenawaynodoubtbythefoulreekofthesurroundingswamp。Inoneoftheseastapleandchainwithaquantityofgnawedbonesshowedwheretheanimalhadbeenconfined。
Askeletonwithatangleofbrownhairadheringtoitlayamongthedebris。
`Adog！’saidHolmes。`ByJove，acurly—hairedspaniel。PoorMortimerwillneverseehispetagain。Well，Idonotknowthatthisplacecontainsanysecretwhichwehavenotalreadyfathomed。Hecouldhidehishound，buthecouldnothushitsvoice，andhencecamethosecrieswhichevenindaylightwerenotpleasanttohear。Onanemergencyhecouldkeepthehoundintheout—houseatMerripit，butitwasalwaysarisk，anditwasonlyonthesupremeday，whichheregardedastheendofallhisefforts，thathedareddoit。Thispasteinthetinisnodoubttheluminousmixturewithwhichthecreaturewasdaubed。Itwassuggested，ofcourse，bythestoryofthefamilyhell—hound，andbythedesiretofrightenoldSirCharlestodeath。Nowonderthepoordevilofaconvictranandscreamed，evenasourfrienddid，andasweourselvesmighthavedone，whenhesawsuchacreatureboundingthroughthedarknessofthemooruponhistrack。Itwasacunningdevice，for，apartfromthechanceofdrivingyourvictimtohisdeath，whatpeasantwouldventuretoinquiretoocloselyintosuchacreatureshouldhegetsightofit，asmanyhavedone，uponthemoor？
IsaiditinLondon，Watson，andIsayitagainnow，thatneveryethavewehelpedtohuntdownamoredangerousmanthanhewhoislyingyonder’
—heswepthislongarmtowardsthehugemottledexpanseofgreen—splotchedbogwhichstretchedawayuntilitmergedintotherussetslopesofthemoor。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles15[TableofContents]Chapter15ARetrospectionItwastheendofNovember，andHolmesandIsat，uponarawandfoggynight，oneithersideofablazingfireinoursitting—roominBakerStreet。
SincethetragicupshotofourvisittoDevonshirehehadbeenengagedintwoaffairsoftheutmostimportance，inthefirstofwhichhehadexposedtheatrociousconductofColonelUpwoodinconnectionwiththefamouscardscandaloftheNonpareilClub，whileinthesecondhehaddefendedtheunfortunateMme。Montpensierfromthechargeofmurderwhichhungoverherinconnectionwiththedeathofherstep—daughter，Mlle。Carère，theyoungladywho，asitwillberemembered，wasfoundsixmonthslateraliveandmarriedinNewYork。Myfriendwasinexcellentspiritsoverthesuccesswhichhadattendedasuccessionofdifficultandimportantcases，sothatIwasabletoinducehimtodiscussthedetailsoftheBaskervillemystery。IhadwaitedpatientlyfortheopportunityforIwasawarethathewouldneverpermitcasestooverlap，andthathisclearandlogicalmindwouldnotbedrawnfromitspresentworktodwelluponmemoriesofthepast。SirHenryandDr。Mortimerwere，however，inLondon，ontheirwaytothatlongvoyagewhichhadbeenrecommendedfortherestorationofhisshatterednerves。Theyhadcalleduponusthatveryafternoon，sothatitwasnaturalthatthesubjectshouldcomeupfordiscussion。
`Thewholecourseofevents，’saidHolmes，`fromthepointofviewofthemanwhocalledhimselfStapletonwassimpleanddirect，althoughtous，whohadnomeansinthebeginningofknowingthemotivesofhisactionsandcouldonlylearnpartofthefacts，itallappearedexceedinglycomplex。IhavehadtheadvantageoftwoconversationswithMrs。Stapleton，andthecasehasnowbeensoentirelyclearedupthatIamnotawarethatthereisanythingwhichhasremainedasecrettous。YouwillfindafewnotesuponthematterundertheheadingBinmyindexedlistofcases。’
`Perhapsyouwouldkindlygivemeasketchofthecourseofeventsfrommemory。’
`Certainly，thoughIcannotguaranteethatIcarryallthefactsinmymind。Intensementalconcentrationhasacuriouswayofblottingoutwhathaspassed。Thebarristerwhohashiscaseathisfingers’endsandisabletoarguewithanexpertuponhisownsubjectfindsthataweekortwoofthecourtswilldriveitalloutofhisheadoncemore。Soeachofmycasesdisplacesthelast，andMlle。CarèrehasblurredmyrecollectionofBaskervilleHall。To—morrowsomeotherlittleproblemmaybesubmittedtomynoticewhichwillinturndispossessthefairFrenchladyandtheinfamousUpwood。Sofarasthecaseofthehoundgoes，however，IwillgiveyouthecourseofeventsasnearlyasIcan，andyouwillsuggestanythingwhichImayhaveforgotten。
`Myinquiriesshowbeyondallquestionthatthefamilyportraitdidnotlie，andthatthisfellowwasindeedaBaskerville。HewasasonofthatRodgerBaskerville，theyoungerbrotherofSirCharles，whofledwithasinisterreputationtoSouthAmerica，wherehewassaidtohavediedunmarried。Hedid，asamatteroffact，marry，andhadonechild，thisfellow，whoserealnameisthesameashisfather’s。HemarriedBerylGar&cced;ia，oneofthebeautiesofCostaRica，and，havingpurloinedaconsiderablesumofpublicmoney，hechangedhisnametoVandeleurandfledtoEngland，whereheestablishedaschoolintheeastofYorkshire。
Hisreasonforattemptingthisspeciallineofbusinesswasthathehadstruckupanacquaintancewithaconsumptivetutoruponthevoyagehome，andthathehadusedthisman’sabilitytomaketheundertakingasuccess。
Fraser，thetutor，diedhowever，andtheschoolwhichhadbegunwellsankfromdisreputeintoinfamy。TheVandeleursfounditconvenienttochangetheirnametoStapleton，andhebroughttheremainsofhisfortune，hisschemesforthefuture，andhistasteforentomologytothesouthofEngland。
IlearnedattheBritishMuseumthathewasarecognizedauthorityuponthesubject，andthatthenameofVandeleurhasbeenpermanentlyattachedtoacertainmothwhichhehad，inhisYorkshiredays，beenthefirsttodescribe。
`Wenowcometothatportionofhislifewhichhasprovedtobeofsuchintenseinteresttous。Thefellowhadevidentlymadeinquiryandfoundthatonlytwolivesintervenedbetweenhimandavaluableestate。
WhenhewenttoDevonshirehisplanswere，Ibelieve，exceedinglyhazy，butthathemeantmischieffromthefirstisevidentfromthewayinwhichhetookhiswifewithhiminthecharacterofhissister。Theideaofusingherasadecoywasclearlyalreadyinhismind，thoughhemaynothavebeencertainhowthedetailsofhisplotweretobearranged。Hemeantintheendtohavetheestate，andhewasreadytouseanytoolorrunanyriskforthatend。Hisfirstactwastoestablishhimselfasneartohisancestralhomeashecould，andhissecondwastocultivateafriendshipwithSirCharlesBaskervilleandwiththeneighbours。
`Thebaronethimselftoldhimaboutthefamilyhound，andsopreparedthewayforhisowndeath。Stapleton，asIwillcontinuetocallhim，knewthattheoldman’sheartwasweakandthatashockwouldkillhim。SomuchhehadlearnedfromDr。Mortimer。HehadheardalsothatSirCharleswassuperstitiousandhadtakenthisgrimlegendveryseriously。Hisingeniousmindinstantlysuggestedawaybywhichthebaronetcouldbedonetodeath，andyetitwouldbehardlypossibletobringhometheguilttotherealmurderer。
`Havingconceivedtheideaheproceededtocarryitoutwithconsiderablefinesse。Anordinaryschemerwouldhavebeencontenttoworkwithasavagehound。Theuseofartificialmeanstomakethecreaturediabolicalwasaflashofgeniusuponhispart。ThedogheboughtinLondonfromRossandMangles，thedealersinFulhamRoad。Itwasthestrongestandmostsavageintheirpossession。HebroughtitdownbytheNorthDevonlineandwalkedagreatdistanceoverthemoorsoastogetithomewithoutexcitinganyremarks。HehadalreadyonhisinsecthuntslearnedtopenetratetheGrimpenMire，andsohadfoundasafehiding—placeforthecreature。
Herehekennelleditandwaitedhischance。
`Butitwassometimecoming。Theoldgentlemancouldnotbedecoyedoutsideofhisgroundsatnight。SeveraltimesStapletonlurkedaboutwithhishound，butwithoutavail。Itwasduringthesefruitlessqueststhathe，orratherhisally，wasseenbypeasants，andthatthelegendofthedemondogreceivedanewconfirmation。HehadhopedthathiswifemightlureSirCharlestohisruin，butheresheprovedunexpectedlyindependent。
Shewouldnotendeavourtoentangletheoldgentlemaninasentimentalattachmentwhichmightdeliverhimovertohisenemy。Threatsandeven，Iamsorrytosay，blowsrefusedtomoveher。Shewouldhavenothingtodowithit，andforatimeStapletonwasatadeadlock。
`HefoundawayoutofhisdifficultiesthroughthechancethatSirCharles，whohadconceivedafriendshipforhim，madehimtheministerofhischarityinthecaseofthisunfortunatewoman，Mrs。LauraLyons。
Byrepresentinghimselfasasinglemanheacquiredcompleteinfluenceoverher，andhegavehertounderstandthatintheeventofherobtainingadivorcefromherhusbandhewouldmarryher。HisplansweresuddenlybroughttoaheadbyhisknowledgethatSirCharleswasabouttoleavetheHallontheadviceofDr。Mortimer，withwhoseopinionhehimselfpretendedtocoincide。Hemustactatonce，orhisvictimmightgetbeyondhispower。
HethereforeputpressureuponMrs。Lyonstowritethisletter，imploringtheoldmantogiveheraninterviewontheeveningbeforehisdepartureforLondon。Hethen，byaspeciousargument，preventedherfromgoing，andsohadthechanceforwhichhehadwaited。
`DrivingbackintheeveningfromCoombeTraceyhewasintimetogethishound，totreatitwithhisinfernalpaint，andtobringthebeastroundtothegateatwhichhehadreasontoexpectthathewouldfindtheoldgentlemanwaiting。Thedog，incitedbyitsmaster，sprangoverthewicket—gateandpursuedtheunfortunatebaronet，whofledscreamingdowntheyewalley。Inthatgloomytunnelitmustindeedhavebeenadreadfulsighttoseethathugeblackcreature，withitsflamingjawsandblazingeyes，boundingafteritsvictim。Hefelldeadattheendofthealleyfromheartdiseaseandterror。Thehoundhadkeptuponthegrassyborderwhilethebaronethadrundownthepath，sothatnotrackbuttheman’swasvisible。
Onseeinghimlyingstillthecreaturehadprobablyapproachedtosniffathim，butfindinghimdeadhadturnedawayagain。ItwasthenthatitlefttheprintwhichwasactuallyobservedbyDr。Mortimer。ThehoundwascalledoffandhurriedawaytoitslairintheGrimpenMire，andamysterywasleftwhichpuzzledtheauthorities，alarmedthecountryside，andfinallybroughtthecasewithinthescopeofourobservation。
`SomuchforthedeathofSirCharlesBaskerville。Youperceivethedevilishcunningofit，forreallyitwouldbealmostimpossibletomakeacaseagainsttherealmurderer。Hisonlyaccomplicewasonewhocouldnevergivehimaway，andthegrotesque，inconceivablenatureofthedeviceonlyservedtomakeitmoreeffective。Bothofthewomenconcernedinthecase，Mrs。StapletonandMrs。LauraLyons，wereleftwithastrongsuspicionagainstStapleton。Mrs。Stapletonknewthathehaddesignsupontheoldman，andalsooftheexistenceofthehound。Mrs。Lyonsknewneitherofthesethings，buthadbeenimpressedbythedeathoccurringatthetimeofanuncancelledappointmentwhichwasonlyknowntohim。However，bothofthemwereunderhisinfluence，andhehadnothingtofearfromthem。
Thefirsthalfofhistaskwassuccessfullyaccomplishedbutthemoredifficultstillremained。
`ItispossiblethatStapletondidnotknowoftheexistenceofanheirinCanada。InanycasehewouldverysoonlearnitfromhisfriendDr。Mortimer，andhewastoldbythelatteralldetailsaboutthearrivalofHenryBaskerville。Stapleton’sfirstideawasthatthisyoungstrangerfromCanadamightpossiblybedonetodeathinLondonwithoutcomingdowntoDevonshireatall。Hedistrustedhiswifeeversinceshehadrefusedtohelphiminlayingatrapfortheoldman，andhedarednotleaveherlongoutofhissightforfearheshouldlosehisinfluenceoverher。ItwasforthisreasonthathetookhertoLondonwithhim。Theylodged，I
find，attheMexboroughPrivateHotel，inCravenStreet，whichwasactuallyoneofthosecalleduponbymyagentinsearchofevidence。Herehekepthiswifeimprisonedinherroomwhilehe，disguisedinabeard，followedDr。MortimertoBakerStreetandafterwardstothestationandtotheNorthumberlandHotel。Hiswifehadsomeinklingofhisplans;butshehadsuchafearofherhusband—afearfoundeduponbrutalill—treatment—thatshedarenotwritetowarnthemanwhomsheknewtobeindanger。IfthelettershouldfallintoStapleton’shandsherownlifewouldnotbesafe。Eventually，asweknow，sheadoptedtheexpedientofcuttingoutthewordswhichwouldformthemessage，andaddressingtheletterinadisguisedhand。Itreachedthebaronet，andgavehimthefirstwarningofhisdanger。
`ItwasveryessentialforStapletontogetsomearticleofSirHenry’sattiresothat，incasehewasdriventousethedog，hemightalwayshavethemeansofsettinghimuponhistrack。Withcharacteristicpromptnessandaudacityhesetaboutthisatonce，andwecannotdoubtthatthebootsorchamber—maidofthehotelwaswellbribedtohelphiminhisdesign。Bychance，however，thefirstbootwhichwasprocuredforhimwasanewoneand，therefore，uselessforhispurpose。Hethenhaditreturnedandobtainedanother—amostinstructiveincident，sinceitprovedconclusivelytomymindthatweweredealingwitharealhound，asnoothersuppositioncouldexplainthisanxietytoobtainanoldbootandthisindifferencetoanewone。Themoreoutreandgrotesqueanincidentisthemorecarefullyitdeservestobeexamined，andtheverypointwhichappearstocomplicateacaseis，whendulyconsideredandscientificallyhandled，theonewhichismostlikelytoelucidateit。
`Thenwehadthevisitfromourfriendsnextmorning，shadowedalwaysbyStapletoninthecab。Fromhisknowledgeofourroomsandofmyappearance，aswellasfromhisgeneralconduct，IaminclinedtothinkthatStapleton’scareerofcrimehasbeenbynomeanslimitedtothissingleBaskervilleaffair。Itissuggestivethatduringthelastthreeyearstherehavebeenfourconsiderableburglariesinthewestcountry，fornoneofwhichwasanycriminaleverarrested。Thelastofthese，atFolkestoneCourt，inMay，wasremarkableforthecold—bloodedpistollingofthepage，whosurprisedthemaskedandsolitaryburglar。IcannotdoubtthatStapletonrecruitedhiswaningresourcesinthisfashion，andthatforyearshehasbeenadesperateanddangerousman。
`Wehadanexampleofhisreadinessofresourcethatmorningwhenhegotawayfromussosuccessfully，andalsoofhisaudacityinsendingbackmyownnametomethroughthecabman。FromthatmomentheunderstoodthatIhadtakenoverthecaseinLondon，andthatthereforetherewasnochanceforhimthere。HereturnedtoDartmoorandawaitedthearrivalofthebaronet。’
`Onemoment！’saidI。`Youhave，nodoubt，describedthesequenceofeventscorrectly，butthereisonepointwhichyouhaveleftunexplained。
WhatbecameofthehoundwhenitsmasterwasinLondon？’
`Ihavegivensomeattentiontothismatteranditisundoubtedlyofimportance。TherecanbenoquestionthatStapletonhadaconfidant，thoughitisunlikelythatheeverplacedhimselfinhispowerbysharingallhisplanswithhim。TherewasanoldmanservantatMerripitHouse，whosenamewasAnthony。HisconnectionwiththeStapletonscanbetracedforseveralyears，asfarbackastheschoolmasteringdays，sothathemusthavebeenawarethathismasterandmistresswerereallyhusbandandwife。Thismanhasdisappearedandhasescapedfromthecountry。ItissuggestivethatAnthonyisnotacommonnameinEngland，whileAntonioissoinallSpanishorSpanish—Americancountries。Theman，likeMrs。
Stapletonherself，spokegoodEnglish，butwithacuriouslispingaccent。
IhavemyselfseenthisoldmancrosstheGrimpenMirebythepathwhichStapletonhadmarkedout。Itisveryprobable，therefore，thatintheabsenceofhismasteritwashewhocaredforthehound，thoughhemayneverhaveknownthepurposeforwhichthebeastwasused。
`TheStapletonsthenwentdowntoDevonshire，whithertheyweresoonfollowedbySirHenryandyou。OnewordnowastohowIstoodmyselfatthattime。ItmaypossiblyrecurtoyourmemorythatwhenIexaminedthepaperuponwhichtheprintedwordswerefastenedImadeacloseinspectionforthewatermark。IndoingsoIhelditwithinafewinchesofmyeyes，andwasconsciousofafaintsmellofthescentknownaswhitejessamine。
Thereareseventy—fiveperfumes，whichitisverynecessarythatacriminalexpertshouldbeabletodistinguishfromeachother，andcaseshavemorethanoncewithinmyownexperiencedependedupontheirpromptrecognition。
Thescentsuggestedthepresenceofalady，andalreadymythoughtsbegantoturntowardstheStapletons。ThusIhadmadecertainofthehound，andhadguessedatthecriminalbeforeeverwewenttothewestcountry。
`ItwasmygametowatchStapleton。Itwasevident，however，thatIcouldnotdothisifIwerewithyou，sincehewouldbekeenlyonhisguard。Ideceivedeverybody，therefore，yourselfincluded，andIcamedownsecretlywhenIwassupposedtobeinLondon。Myhardshipswerenotsogreatasyouimagined，thoughsuchtriflingdetailsmustneverinterferewiththeinvestigationofacase。IstayedforthemostpartatCoombeTracey，andonlyusedthehutuponthemoorwhenitwasnecessarytobenearthesceneofaction。Cartwrighthadcomedownwithme，andinhisdisguiseasacountryboyhewasofgreatassistancetome。Iwasdependentuponhimforfoodandcleanlinen。WhenIwaswatchingStapleton，Cartwrightwasfrequentlywatchingyou，sothatIwasabletokeepmyhanduponallthestrings。
`Ihavealreadytoldyouthatyourreportsreachedmerapidly，beingforwardedinstantlyfromBakerStreettoCoombeTracey。Theywereofgreatservicetome，andespeciallythatoneincidentallytruthfulpieceofbiographyofStapleton’s。IwasabletoestablishtheidentityofthemanandthewomanandknewatlastexactlyhowIstood。ThecasehadbeenconsiderablycomplicatedthroughtheincidentoftheescapedconvictandtherelationsbetweenhimandtheBarrymores。Thisalsoyouclearedupinaveryeffectiveway，thoughIhadalreadycometothesameconclusionsfrommyownobservations。
`BythetimethatyoudiscoveredmeuponthemoorIhadacompleteknowledgeofthewholebusiness，butIhadnotacasewhichcouldgotoajury。EvenStapleton’sattemptuponSirHenrythatnightwhichendedinthedeathoftheunfortunateconvictdidnothelpusmuchinprovingmurderagainstourman。Thereseemedtobenoalternativebuttocatchhimred—handed，andtodosowehadtouseSirHenry，aloneandapparentlyunprotected，asabait。Wedidso，andatthecostofasevereshocktoourclientwesucceededincompletingourcaseanddrivingStapletontohisdestruction。ThatSirHenryshouldhavebeenexposedtothisis，I
mustconfess，areproachtomymanagementofthecase，butwehadnomeansofforeseeingtheterribleandparalyzingspectaclewhichthebeastpresented，norcouldwepredictthefogwhichenabledhimtoburstuponusatsuchshortnotice。
WesucceededinourobjectatacostwhichboththespecialistandDr。Mortimerassuremewillbeatemporaryone。Alongjourneymayenableourfriendtorecovernotonlyfromhisshatterednervesbutalsofromhiswoundedfeelings。Hislovefortheladywasdeepandsincere，andtohimthesaddestpartofallthisblackbusinesswasthatheshouldhavebeendeceivedbyher。
`Itonlyremainstoindicatethepartwhichshehadplayedthroughout。
TherecanbenodoubtthatStapletonexercisedaninfluenceoverherwhichmayhavebeenloveormayhavebeenfear，orverypossiblyboth，sincetheyarebynomeansincompatibleemotions。Itwas，atleast，absolutelyeffective。Athiscommandsheconsentedtopassashissister，thoughhefoundthelimitsofhispoweroverherwhenheendeavouredtomakeherthedirectaccessorytomurder。ShewasreadytowarnSirHenrysofarasshecouldwithoutimplicatingherhusband，andagainandagainshetriedtodoso。Stapletonhimselfseemstohavebeencapableofjealousy，andwhenhesawthebaronetpayingcourttothelady，eventhoughitwaspartofhisownplan，stillhecouldnothelpinterruptingwithapassionateoutburstwhichrevealedthefierysoulwhichhisself—containedmannersocleverlyconcealed。ByencouragingtheintimacyhemadeitcertainthatSirHenrywouldfrequentlycometoMerripitHouseandthathewouldsoonerorlatergettheopportunitywhichhedesired。Onthedayofthecrisis，however，hiswifeturnedsuddenlyagainsthim。Shehadlearnedsomethingofthedeathoftheconvict，andsheknewthatthehoundwasbeingkeptintheouthouseontheeveningthatSirHenrywascomingtodinner。Shetaxedherhusbandwithhisintendedcrime，andafuriousscenefollowedinwhichheshowedherforthefirsttimethatshehadarivalinhislove。
Herfidelityturnedinaninstanttobitterhatred，andhesawthatshewouldbetrayhim。Hetiedherup，therefore，thatshemighthavenochanceofwarningSirHenry，andhehoped，nodoubt，thatwhenthewholecountrysideputdownthebaronet’sdeathtothecurseofhisfamily，astheycertainlywoulddo，hecouldwinhiswifebacktoacceptanaccomplishedfactandtokeepsilentuponwhatsheknew。InthisIfancythatinanycasehemadeamiscalculation，andthat，ifwehadnotbeenthere，hisdoomwouldnonethelesshavebeensealed。AwomanofSpanishblooddoesnotcondonesuchaninjurysolightly。Andnow，mydearWatson，withoutreferringtomynotes，Icannotgiveyouamoredetailedaccountofthiscuriouscase。Idonotknowthatanythingessentialhasbeenleftunexplained。’
`HecouldnothopetofrightenSirHenrytodeathashehaddonetheoldunclewithhisbogiehound。’
`Thebeastwassavageandhalf—starved。Ifitsappearancedidnotfrightenitsvictimtodeath，atleastitwouldparalyzetheresistancewhichmightbeoffered。’
`Nodoubt。Thereonlyremainsonedifficulty。IfStapletoncameintothesuccession，howcouldheexplainthefactthathe，theheir，hadbeenlivingunannouncedunderanothernamesoclosetotheproperty？Howcouldheclaimitwithoutcausingsuspicionandinquiry？’
`Itisaformidabledifficulty，andIfearthatyouasktoomuchwhenyouexpectmetosolveit。Thepastandthepresentarewithinthefieldofmyinquiry，butwhatamanmaydointhefutureisahardquestiontoanswer。Mrs。Stapletonhasheardherhusbanddiscusstheproblemonseveraloccasions。Therewerethreepossiblecourses。HemightclaimthepropertyfromSouthAmerica，establishhisidentitybeforetheBritishauthoritiesthereandsoobtainthefortunewithoutevercomingtoEnglandatall，orhemightadoptanelaboratedisguiseduringtheshorttimethatheneedbeinLondon;or，again，hemightfurnishanaccomplicewiththeproofsandpapers，puttinghiminasheir，andretainingaclaimuponsomeproportionofhisincome。Wecannotdoubtfromwhatweknowofhimthathewouldhavefoundsomewayoutofthedifficulty。Andnow，mydearWatson，wehavehadsomeweeksofseverework，andforoneevening，Ithink，wemayturnourthoughtsintomorepleasantchannels。IhaveaboxforLesHuguenots。HaveyouheardtheDeReszkes？MightItroubleyouthentobereadyinhalfanhour，andwecanstopatMarcini’sforalittledinnerontheway？’TheEnd[TableofContents]