WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.080 --> 00:00:04.000 Chapter thirteen of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir 2 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:07.639 Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 3 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:16.399 Chapter thirteen, fixing the nets. We're at close grips at last, 4 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:19.839 said Holmes, as we walked together across the moor. What 5 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:22.960 a nerve the fellow has. How he pulled himself together 6 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:25.399 in the face of what must have been a paralyzing 7 00:00:25.559 --> 00:00:28.399 shock when he found that the wrong man had fallen 8 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:32.240 a victim to his plot. I told you in London, Watson, 9 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.960 and I tell you now again that we have never 10 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:38.920 had a foe man more worthy of our steel. I'm 11 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.799 sorry that he's seen you, and so was I at first, 12 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:46.200 but there was no getting out of it. What effect 13 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:48.119 do you think you will have upon his plans now 14 00:00:48.119 --> 00:00:51.439 that he knows you're here. It may cause him to 15 00:00:51.479 --> 00:00:54.759 be more cautious, or it may drive him to desperate 16 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:58.719 measures at once. Like most clever criminals, he may be 17 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:01.719 too confident in his own cleverness, and imagine that he 18 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:05.480 has completely deceived us. Why should we not arrest him 19 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:09.280 at once? My dear Watson, you were born to be 20 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:12.159 a man of action. Your instinct is always to do 21 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:16.560 something energetic. But supposing, for argument's sake, that we had 22 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:19.760 him arrested tonight, what on earth the better off should 23 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:23.120 we be? For that we could prove nothing against him. 24 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:27.640 There's the devilish cunning of it. If he were acting 25 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:30.920 through a human agent, we could get some evidence. But 26 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:32.920 if we were to drag this great dog to the 27 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:35.599 light of day, it would not help us in putting 28 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:39.280 a rope around the neck of its master. Surely we 29 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:43.239 have a case, not a shadow of a one, only 30 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:47.040 surmise and conjecture. We should be laughed out of court 31 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:49.640 if we came with such a story and such evidence. 32 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:54.400 There is Sir Charles's death, found dead without a mark 33 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:56.959 upon him. You and I know that he died of 34 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:00.799 sheer fright, and we know also what frightened him. But 35 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:03.760 how are we to get twelve stolid jurymen to know it? 36 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:07.079 What signs are there of a hound? Where are the 37 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:10.120 marks of the fangs? Of course we know that a 38 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:13.280 hound does not bite a dead body, and that Sir 39 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:17.479 Charles was dead before ever the brute overtook him. But 40 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:20.479 we have to prove all this, and we are not 41 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:24.240 in a position to do it. Well. Then to night 42 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:28.240 we are not much better off to night. Again, there 43 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:31.439 was no direct connection between the hound and the man's death. 44 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:35.240 We never saw the hound. We heard it, but we 45 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:37.960 could not prove that it was running upon this man's trail. 46 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:42.680 There is a complete absence of motive. No, my dear fellow, 47 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:45.639 we must reconcile ourselves to the fact that we have 48 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:48.360 no case at present, and that it is worth our 49 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:52.000 while to run any risk in order to establish one. 50 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.240 And how do you propose to do so? I have 51 00:02:55.319 --> 00:02:57.800 great hopes of what missus law A Lyons may do 52 00:02:57.879 --> 00:03:00.560 for us when the position of affairs is made clear 53 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.199 to her, and I have my own plan as well, 54 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:06.599 sufficient for to morrow is the evil thereof, But I 55 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:09.199 hope before the day is passed, to have the upper hand. 56 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:13.240 At last, I could draw nothing further from him, and 57 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:17.240 he walked lost in thought. As far as the Baskerville gates, 58 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:21.280 are you coming up? Yes? I see no reason for 59 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:26.240 further concealment. But one last word, Watson, say nothing of 60 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:30.800 the hound to Sir Henry. Let him think that Selden's 61 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:35.120 death was as Stapleton would have us. Believe he will 62 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:37.159 have a better nerve for the ordeal which he will 63 00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:39.879 have to undergo to morrow when he is engaged. If 64 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:43.199 I remember your reporter right to dine with these people, 65 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:48.479 and so am I, then you must excuse yourself and 66 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:52.599 he must go alone. That will be easily arranged. And 67 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:55.240 now if we are too late for dinner, I think 68 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:59.400 as we are both ready for our suppers. Sir Henry 69 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:02.759 is more pleased and surprise to see Sherlock Holmes, for 70 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:05.800 he had for some days been expecting that recent events 71 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:10.000 would bring him down from London. He did raise his eyebrows, however, 72 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:13.840 when he found that my friend had neither any luggage 73 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:20.199 nor any explanations for its absence. Between us, we soon 74 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:23.600 supplied his wants, and then, over a belated supper, we 75 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:27.000 explained to the Baronet as much of our experience as 76 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:31.319 it seemed desirable that he should know. But first I 77 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.240 had the unpleasant duty of breaking the news to Barrymore 78 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:37.040 and his wife. To him, it may have been an 79 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:42.040 unmitigated relief, but she wept bitterly in her apron To 80 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:44.560 all the world he was the man of violence, half 81 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:48.040 animal and half demon. But to her he has always 82 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:51.720 remained the little wilful boy of her own girlhood, the 83 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:55.399 child who had clung to her hand evil indeed, as 84 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:57.920 the man who was not one woman to mourn him. 85 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:02.319 I've I've been moping in the house all day since 86 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:05.639 Watson went off in the morning, said the baronet. I 87 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:08.120 guess I should have some credit, for I have kept 88 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.480 my promise. If I hadn't sworn not to go about alone, 89 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:15.000 I might have had a more lively evening, for I 90 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:19.399 had a message from Stapleton asking me over there. I 91 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:21.560 have no doubt that you would have had a more 92 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:25.680 lively evening, said Holmes dryly. By the way, I don't 93 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:28.319 suppose you appreciate that we have been mourning over you 94 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:32.120 as having broken your neck. Sir Henry opened his eyes. 95 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:36.839 How was that this poor wretch was dressed in your clothes? 96 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:40.399 I fear your servant who gave them to him may 97 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:44.920 get into trouble with the police. That is unlikely. There 98 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:46.720 was no mark on any of them, as far as 99 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:50.839 I know. That's lucky for him. In fact, it's lucky 100 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:52.680 for all of you, since you are all on the 101 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:55.879 wrong side of the law in this matter. I am 102 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:59.680 not sure that as a conscientious detective, my first duty 103 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:03.600 is not to arrest the whole household Watson's reports are 104 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:09.160 most incriminating documents. But how about the case asked the baronet? 105 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:12.879 Have you made anything out of the tangle? I don't 106 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:15.240 know that Watson and I are much the wiser since 107 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:18.160 we came down. I think that I shall be in 108 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:21.160 a position to make the situation rather more clear to 109 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:24.879 you before long. It has been an exceedingly difficult and 110 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:28.680 most complicated business. There are several points upon which we 111 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:31.920 still want light, but it is coming all the same. 112 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:36.199 We've had one experience, as Watson has no doubt told 113 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:39.000 you we heard the hound on the moor, so I 114 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:43.360 can swear that it is not all empty superstition. I 115 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:45.800 had something to do with dogs when I was out west, 116 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:48.439 and I know one when I hear one. If you 117 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:50.600 can muzzle that one and put him on a chain, 118 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:54.079 I'll be ready to swear you are the greatest detective 119 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:58.279 of all time. I think I will muzzle him and 120 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.519 chain him all right. If you will give me your help. 121 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:05.600 Whatever you tell me to do, I will do very good. 122 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:08.560 And I will ask you also to do it blindly, 123 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:13.720 without always asking the reason, just as you like. If 124 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:15.800 you will do this, I think the chances are that 125 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:19.279 our little problem will soon be solved. I have no doubt. 126 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:24.439 He stopped suddenly and stared fixedly up over my head 127 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:28.079 into the air. The lamp beat upon his face, and 128 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.759 so intent was it, and so still that it might 129 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:34.079 have been that of a clear cut classical statue, a 130 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:39.360 personification of alertness and expectation. What is it? We both cried. 131 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:43.439 I could see, as he looked down that he was 132 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:48.639 repressing some internal emotion. His features were still composed, but 133 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:54.639 his eyes shone with amused exultation. Excuse the admiration of 134 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:58.160 a connoisseur, said he as he waved his hand towards 135 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:02.600 the line of portraits which covered the opposite wall. Watson 136 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:05.720 won't allow that I know anything of art, but that 137 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:10.040 is mere jealousy, because our views upon the subject differ. Now, 138 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:15.079 these are a really very fine series of portraits. Well, 139 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:17.920 I'm glad to hear you say so, said Sir Henry, 140 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:21.360 glancing with some surprise at my friend. I don't pretend 141 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:23.639 to know much about these things, and I'd be a 142 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:25.839 better judge of a horse or a steer than of 143 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:28.759 a picture. I didn't know that you found time for 144 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:32.080 such things. I know what is good when I see it. 145 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:36.960 And I see it now, that's Annella. I'll swear that 146 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:39.799 lady in the blue silk over Yonder, and the stout 147 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:42.840 gentleman with the wig ought to be a Reynolds. They 148 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:47.320 are all family portraits, I presume every one. Do you 149 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:51.240 know the names? Barrymore has been coaching me in them, 150 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.919 and I think I can say my lessons fairly well. 151 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:59.120 Who is the gentleman with the telescope. That is Rear 152 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:03.039 Admiral Baskerville, who served under Rodney in the West Indies. 153 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:05.279 The man with the blue coat and the roll of 154 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:08.639 paper is Sir William Baskerville, who is the Chairman of 155 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:12.480 Committees of the House of Commons under Pitt. And this 156 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:15.799 cavalier opposite to me, the one with the black velvet 157 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:18.759 and the lace, ah, you have a right to know 158 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:21.840 about him. That is the cause of all the mischief, 159 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:25.879 the wicked Hugo who started the Hound of the Baskervilles. 160 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:30.200 We're not likely to forget him. I gazed with interest, 161 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:34.600 and some surprised upon the portrait, dear me, said Holmes. 162 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:38.360 He seems a quiet, meek mannered man enough, but I 163 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:41.039 dare say that there was a lurking devil in his eyes. 164 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:45.240 I had pictured him as a more robust and ruffianly person. 165 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:49.639 There's no doubt about the authenticity, for the name and 166 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:52.919 the date sixteen forty seven are on the back of 167 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:57.519 the canvas. Holmes said little more, but the picture of 168 00:09:57.559 --> 00:10:00.840 the old Roysterer seemed to have a fascination for him, 169 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:04.080 and his eyes were continually fixed upon it during supper. 170 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:07.720 It was not until later, when Sir Henry had gone 171 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:10.279 to his room, that I was able to follow the 172 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:13.519 trend of his thoughts. He led me back into the 173 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:17.559 banqueting hall, his bedroom candle in his hand, and he 174 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:20.799 held it up against the time stained portrait on the wall. 175 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.559 Do you see anything there? I looked at the broad 176 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:30.279 plumed hat, the curling love locks, the white lace collar, 177 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:34.399 and the straight, severe face which was framed between them. 178 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:37.879 It was not a brutal countenance, but it was prim 179 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:41.200 hard and stern, with a firm set, thin lipped mouth, 180 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:45.960 and a coldly intolerant eye. Is it like any one 181 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:49.720 you know? There is something of Sir Henry about the jaw, 182 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:55.480 just a suggestion, perhaps, But wait an instant. He stood 183 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:57.840 upon a chair, and, holding up the light in his 184 00:10:57.960 --> 00:11:00.639 left hand, he curved his right arm, over the broad 185 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:05.639 hat and round the long ringlets. Good heavens, I cried 186 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:09.600 in amazement. The face of Stapleton had sprung out of 187 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:14.799 the canvas. Ha you see it now. My eyes have 188 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:18.480 been trained to examine faces and not their trimmings. It 189 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:21.679 is the first quality of a criminal investigator that he 190 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:26.320 should see through a disguise. But this is marvelous. It 191 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:30.600 might be his portrait. Yes, it is an interesting instance 192 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:34.799 of a throwback which appears to be both physical and spiritual. 193 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:38.440 A study of family portraits is enough to convert a 194 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:42.000 man to the doctrine of reincarnation. The fellow is a 195 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:48.440 baskerville that is evident with designs upon the succession. Exactly. 196 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:51.600 This chance of the picture has supplied us with one 197 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:55.159 of our most obvious missing links. We have him, Watson, 198 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.360 We have him, and I dare swear that before to 199 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:01.320 morrow night he will be flow in our net, as 200 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:05.720 helpless as one of his own butterflies, A pin, a cork, 201 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:08.399 and a card, and we add him to the Baker 202 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:12.320 Street collection. He burst into one of his rare fits 203 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:15.360 of laughter as he turned away from the picture. I've 204 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:18.080 not heard him laugh often, and it has always boded 205 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:21.840 ill to somebody. I was up betimes in the morning, 206 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:25.320 but Holmes was afoot earlier still, for I saw him 207 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:29.120 as I dressed, coming up the drive. Yes, we should 208 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.759 have a full day to day, he remarked, and he 209 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:34.919 rubbed his hands with the joy of action. The nets 210 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:37.759 are all in place and the drag is about to begin. 211 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:40.440 We'll know before the day is out whether we have 212 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.879 caught our big, lean jawed pike or whether he has 213 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:47.440 got through the meshes. Have you been on the moor already? 214 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:51.000 I have sent a report from Grimpen to Princetown as 215 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:54.000 to the death of Selden. I think I can promise 216 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.919 that none of you will be troubled in the matter. 217 00:12:56.559 --> 00:13:00.279 And I have also communicated with my faithful Cartwright, who 218 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:02.399 would certainly have pined away at the door of my 219 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:05.960 hut as a dog does at his master's grave, if 220 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:08.559 I had not set his mind at rest about my safety. 221 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:13.759 What is the next move to see, Sir Henry? Ah, 222 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:17.919 here he is. Good morning, Holmes, said the baronet. You 223 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:20.240 look like a general who is planning a battle with 224 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:24.399 his chief of the staff. That is the exact situation. 225 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:29.919 Watson was asking for orders, and so do I very 226 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:33.240 good you are engaged, as I understand, to dine with 227 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:36.840 our friends, the Stapletons to night. I hope that you 228 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:40.279 will come also. They are very hospitable people, and I 229 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:42.519 am sure that they would be very glad to see you. 230 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:46.399 I fear that Watson and I must go to London. 231 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:50.639 To London, yes, I think that we should be more 232 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:55.679 useful there at the present juncture. The Baronet's face perceptibly lengthened. 233 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.639 I hope that you are going to see me through 234 00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:01.600 this business. The hall and the moor are not very 235 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:06.120 pleasant places when one is alone. My dear fellow, you 236 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:10.639 must trust me implicitly and do exactly what I tell you. 237 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.919 You can tell your friends that we should have been 238 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:16.240 happy to come with you, but that urgent business required 239 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:19.039 us to be in town. We hope very soon to 240 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:22.320 return to Devonshire. Will you remember to give them that message? 241 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:26.559 If you insist upon it. There is no alternative, I 242 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:31.120 assure you. I saw by the baronet's clouded brow that 243 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:34.279 he was deeply hurt by what he regarded as our desertion. 244 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.519 When do you desire to go, he asked coldly. Immediately 245 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:44.840 after breakfast, we will drive into Coombe. Tracy. But Watson 246 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.799 will leave his things as a pledge that he will 247 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:49.919 come back to you. Watson, you will send a note 248 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:52.240 to Stapleton to tell him that you regret that you 249 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:56.000 cannot come. I have a good mind to go to 250 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:59.240 London with you, said the Baronet. Why should I stay 251 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:04.919 here alone? Because it is your post of duty. Because 252 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.440 you gave me your word that you would do as 253 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:11.279 you were told, and I tell you to stay all right, 254 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:15.679 then I'll stay one more direction. I wish you to 255 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:19.759 drive to Merripit House, send back your trap, however, and 256 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:23.080 let them know that you intend to walk home, to 257 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:27.879 walk across the moor. Yes, but that is the very 258 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:30.440 thing which you have so often cautioned me not to do. 259 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:34.320 This time you may do it with safety. If I 260 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:37.399 had not every confidence in your nerve and courage, I 261 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:40.399 would not suggest it. But it is essential that you 262 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:44.559 should do it. Then I will do it. And as 263 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:47.440 you value your life, do not go across the moor 264 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:51.039 in any direction save along the straight path which leads 265 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:54.440 from Merripit House to the Grimpen Road and is your 266 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:58.600 natural way home. I will do just what you say. 267 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:02.080 Very good. I should be glad to get away as 268 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:05.120 soon after breakfast as possible, so as to reach London 269 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:09.440 in the afternoon. I was much astounded by this program, 270 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:12.480 though I remembered that Holmes had said to Stapleton on 271 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:16.679 the night before that his visit would terminate next day. 272 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:19.600 It had not crossed my mind, however, that he would 273 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:22.879 wish me to go with him, Nor could I understand 274 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:25.519 how he could both be absent at a moment which 275 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:29.799 he himself declared to be critical. There was nothing for it, however, 276 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:34.120 but implicit obedience. So we bade goodbye to our rueful friend, 277 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:36.360 and a couple of hours afterwards we were at the 278 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:39.840 station of Coombe Tracy, and had dispatched the trap. Upon 279 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:44.080 its return journey, a small boy was waiting upon the platform. 280 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:49.559 Any orders, sir, you will take this train to town Cartwright. 281 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:52.360 The moment you arrive, you will send a wire to 282 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:55.159 Sir Henry Baskerville in my name, to say that if 283 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:57.399 he finds the pocket book which I have dropped, he 284 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:01.639 is to send it by registered post to Baker's Street. Yes, sir, 285 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:05.160 and ask at the station office if there is a 286 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:09.119 message for me. The boy returned with a telegram which 287 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:13.599 Holmes handed to me. It ran a wire received coming 288 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:19.720 down with unsigned warrant arrive five forty Lestrade. That is 289 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:22.440 in answer to mine of this morning. He is the 290 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:25.279 best of the professionals, I think, and we may need 291 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:29.079 his assistance now, Watson, I think that we cannot employ 292 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:32.559 our time better than by calling upon your acquaintance, Missus 293 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:37.200 Laura Lyons. His plan of campaign was beginning to be evident. 294 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:40.759 He would use the baronet in order to convince the 295 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:44.400 Stapletons that we were really gone, while we should actually 296 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:47.200 return at the instant when we were likely to be needed. 297 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:51.640 That telegram from London, if mentioned by Sir Henry to 298 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:55.400 the Stapletons, must remove the last suspicions from their minds. 299 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:59.640 Already I seemed to see our nets drawing closer around 300 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:04.279 that Dean George Pike. Missus Laura Lyons was in her 301 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:08.039 office and Sherlock Holmes opened his interview with a frankness 302 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:12.920 and directness which considerably amazed her. I am investigating the 303 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:16.880 circumstances which attended the death of the late Sir Charles Baskerville, 304 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:21.200 said he, my friend here, doctor Watson, has informed me 305 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:24.160 of what you have communicated and also of what you 306 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:29.200 have withheld in connection with that matter. What have I withheld, 307 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:34.160 she asked defiantly. You have confessed that you asked Sir 308 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:37.119 Charles to be at the gate at ten o'clock. We 309 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:39.799 know that that was the place and hour of his death. 310 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:44.000 You have withheld what the connection is between these events? 311 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:49.400 There is no connection in that case. The coincidence must 312 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:52.599 indeed be an extraordinary one. But I think that we 313 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:56.759 shall succeed in establishing a connection. After all, I wish 314 00:18:56.839 --> 00:19:00.599 to be perfectly frank with you, Missus Lyons. Regard this 315 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:04.160 case as one of murder, and the evidence may implicate 316 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:08.000 not only your friend, mister Stapleton, but his wife as well. 317 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:13.319 The lady sprang from her chair. His wife, she cried. 318 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:17.000 The fact is no longer a secret. The person who 319 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:21.440 has passed for his sister is really his wife. Missus 320 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:25.359 Lyons had resumed her seat. Her hands were grasping the 321 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:28.319 arms of her chair, and I saw that the pink 322 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:31.039 nails had turned white with the pressure of her grip. 323 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:36.680 His wife, she said again, his wife. He is not 324 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:41.519 a married man. Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders. Prove it 325 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:43.839 to me, Prove it to me, and if you can 326 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:46.799 do so, the fierce flash of her eyes said more 327 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:50.160 than any words. I have come prepared to do so, 328 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:54.480 said Holmes, drawing several papers from his pocket. Here is 329 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:57.519 a photograph of the couple, taken in York four years ago. 330 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:01.839 It is endorsed mister and Missus van de Leur. But 331 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:05.039 you will have no difficulty in recognizing him and her 332 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:08.640 also if you know her by sight. Here are three 333 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:13.039 written descriptions by trustworthy witnesses of mister and Missus van 334 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:17.039 de Leur, who at that time kept Saint Oliver's private school. 335 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:20.400 Read them and see if you can doubt the identity 336 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:24.400 of these people. She glanced at them, and then looked 337 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:26.640 up at us with the set, rigid face of a 338 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:31.599 desperate woman. Mister Holmes, she said, this man had offered 339 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:34.279 me marriage on condition that I could get a divorce 340 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:37.720 from my husband. He has lied to me, the villain, 341 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:41.799 in every conceivable way. Not one word of truth has 342 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:46.160 he ever told me. And why why I imagined that 343 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:49.240 all was for my own sake? But now I see 344 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:51.839 that I was never anything but a tool in his hands. 345 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:55.079 Why should I preserve faith with him who never kept 346 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:58.119 any with me? Why should I try to shield him 347 00:20:58.279 --> 00:21:01.079 from the consequences of his own will mak it acts. 348 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:04.279 Ask me what you like, and there is nothing which 349 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:07.119 I shall hold back. One thing I swear to you, 350 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:09.440 and that is that when I wrote the letter, I 351 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:12.519 never dreamed of any harm to the old gentleman who 352 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:17.319 had been my kindest friend. I entirely believe you, madam, 353 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:20.799 said Sherlock Holmes. The recital of these events must be 354 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:23.799 very painful to you, and perhaps it will make it 355 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:26.880 easier if I tell you what occurred, and you can 356 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:30.400 check me if I make any material mistake. The sending 357 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:34.720 of this letter was suggested to you by Stapleton, He 358 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:38.440 dictated it. I presume that the reason he gave was 359 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:41.039 that you would receive help from Sir Charles for the 360 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:46.960 legal expenses connected with your divorce exactly. And then after 361 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:49.440 you had sent the letter, he dissuaded you from keeping 362 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:53.000 the appointment. He told me that it would hurt his 363 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:56.079 self respect that any other man should find the money 364 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:58.440 for such an object, and that though he was a 365 00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:01.799 poor man himself, he would devote his last penny to 366 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:06.079 removing the obstacles which divided us. He appears to be 367 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:09.839 a very consistent character. And then you heard nothing until 368 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:12.960 you read the reports of the death in the paper. No, 369 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:16.400 and he made you swear to say nothing about your 370 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:20.640 appointment with Sir Charles. He did. He said that the 371 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:23.480 death was a very mysterious one, and that I should 372 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:27.240 certainly be suspected if the facts came out. He frightened 373 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:32.480 me into remaining silent. Quite so, But you had your suspicions. 374 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:37.680 She hesitated and looked down. I knew him, she said, 375 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:40.279 But if he had kept faith with me, I should 376 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:43.880 always have done so with him. I think that on 377 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:47.519 the whole you have had a fortunate escape, said Sherlock Holmes. 378 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:51.480 You have had him in your power, and he knew it. 379 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:55.720 And yet you are alive. You have been walking for 380 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:58.680 some months very near to the edge of a precipice. 381 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:02.240 We must wish you good morning now, missus Lyons, and 382 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:04.640 it is probable that you will very shortly hear from 383 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:10.000 us again. Our case becomes rounded off, and difficulty after 384 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:13.400 difficulty thins away in front of us, said Holmes, as 385 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:17.160 we stood waiting for the arrival of the express from town. 386 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:19.720 I shall soon be in the position of being able 387 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:22.680 to put into a single connected narrative one of the 388 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:27.480 most singular and sensational crimes of modern times. Students of 389 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:31.440 criminology will remember the analogous incidents in god know in 390 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:35.160 Little Russia in the year sixty six, and of course 391 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:38.759 there are the Anderson murders in North Carolina. But this 392 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:44.200 case possesses some features which are entirely its own. Even 393 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:48.000 now we have no clear case against this very wily man. 394 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.920 But I shall be very much surprised if it is 395 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.480 not clear enough. Before we go to bed this night, 396 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:58.680 the London Express came roaring to the station, and a small, 397 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:01.480 wiry bulldog of a man had sprung from a first 398 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:05.559 class carriage. We all three shook hands, and I saw 399 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:08.599 at once from the reverential way in which Lestrade gazed 400 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:11.279 at my companion, that he had learned a good deal 401 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:15.039