WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:03.799 Chapter nine of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir 2 00:00:03.879 --> 00:00:07.400 Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 3 00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:14.359 Chapter nine, The Light upon the Moor, Second Report of 4 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:22.039 Dr Watson, Baskerville Hall, October fifteenth. My dear Holmes, if 5 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:24.559 I was compelled to leave you without much news during 6 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:27.640 the early days of my mission, you must acknowledge that 7 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:30.239 I am making up for lost time, and that in 8 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:34.119 at events, unouting thick and fast upon us. In my 9 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:36.960 last report I ended up my top note with Barrymore 10 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:39.719 at the window, and now I have quite a budget 11 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:44.119 already which will, unless I am much mistaken, considerably surprise you. 12 00:00:46.119 --> 00:00:49.640 Things have taken a turn which I could not have anticipated. 13 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:53.079 In some ways they have, within the last forty eight 14 00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:56.320 hours become much clearer, and in some ways they have 15 00:00:56.359 --> 00:00:59.640 become more complicated. But I will tell you all, and 16 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:03.520 you shall judge for yourself. Before breakfast on the morning 17 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:07.040 following my adventure, I went down the corridor and examined 18 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.760 the room in which Barrymore had been on the night before. 19 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:13.680 The western window through which he had stared so intently. 20 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:18.239 Has I noticed one peculiarity above all other windows in 21 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:22.640 the house it commands. The nearest outlook on to the moor. 22 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.920 There is an opening between two trees which enables one 23 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:30.000 from this point of view to look right down upon it, 24 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:33.200 while from all the other windows it is only a 25 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:38.879 distant glimpse which can be obtained. It follows therefore that Barrymore, 26 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:42.519 since only this window would serve the purpose, must have 27 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:46.359 been looking out for something or some body upon the moor. 28 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:49.799 The night was very dark, so that I can hardly 29 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:53.799 imagine how he could have hoped to see any one. 30 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:56.840 It had struck me that it was possible that some 31 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:00.599 love intrigue was on foot. That would have counted for 32 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:05.519 his stealthy movements, and also for the uneasiness of his wife. 33 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:09.400 The manners a striking looking fellow, very well equipped to 34 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:12.319 steal the heart of a country girl, So that this 35 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:16.199 theory seemed to have something to support it. That opening 36 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:18.159 of the door, which I had heard after I had 37 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:21.039 returned to my room, might mean that he had gone 38 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:26.680 out to keep some clandestine appointment. So I reasoned with 39 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:29.599 myself in the morning, and I tell you the direction 40 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:33.080 of my suspicions. However much the result may have shown 41 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:37.599 that they were unfounded, But whatever the true explanation of 42 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:41.960 Barrymore's movements might be, I felt that the responsibility of 43 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:45.520 keeping them to myself until I could explain them was 44 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:48.439 more than I could bear. I had an interview with 45 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:51.919 the Baronet in his study after breakfast, and I told 46 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.840 him all that I had seen. He was less surprised 47 00:02:55.879 --> 00:03:00.319 than I had expected. I knew that Barrymore walked about knights, 48 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:02.680 and I had a mind to speak to him about it. 49 00:03:03.080 --> 00:03:06.159 Said he, two or three times, I've heard his steps 50 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:09.039 in the passage, coming and going just about the hour 51 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.479 you name. Perhaps then he pays a visit every night 52 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:17.759 to that particular window. I suggested, perhaps he does. If so, 53 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:20.159 we should be able to shadow him and see what 54 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:23.240 it is that he's after. I wonder what your friend 55 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:26.680 Holmes would do if he were here. I believe that 56 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:29.520 he would do exactly what you now suggest, said I. 57 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:34.199 He would follow Barrymore and see what he did. Then 58 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:38.120 we shall do it together. But surely he would hear us. 59 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:41.719 The man is rather deaf, and in any case we 60 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:44.520 must take our chance of that. We'll sit up in 61 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:48.080 my room to night and wait until he passes. Sir 62 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:51.879 Henry rubbed his hands with pleasure, and it was evident 63 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:54.240 that he hailed the adventure as a relief to his 64 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:58.919 somewhat quiet life upon the moor. The Baronet has been 65 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:02.960 in communication the architect who prepared the plans for Sir Charles, 66 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:06.520 and with a contractor from London, so that we may 67 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:10.240 expect great changes to begin here soon. There have been 68 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:15.000 decorators and furnishers up from Plymouth, and it is evident 69 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:19.079 that our friend has large ideas and means to spare 70 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:22.480 no pains or expense to restore the grandeur of his family. 71 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:26.839 When the house is renovated and refurnished, all that he 72 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:29.879 will need will be a wife to make it complete. 73 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:34.079 Between ourselves. There are pretty clear signs that this will 74 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:37.160 not be wanting if the lady is willing, For I 75 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:40.000 have seldom seen a man more infatuated with a woman 76 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:45.800 than he is with our beautiful neighbor, Miss Stapleton. And 77 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:49.160 yet the course of true love does not run quite 78 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:54.199 as smoothly as one would under the circumstances expect today. 79 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:58.319 For example, its surface was broken by a very unexpected ripple, 80 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:03.000 which has caused our friend and considerable perplexity and annoyance. 81 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:08.240 After the conversation which I have quoted about Barrymore. Sir 82 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:10.519 Henry put on his hat and prepared to go out. 83 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:14.319 As a matter of course, I did the same. What 84 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:17.720 are you coming, Watson, he asked, looking at me in 85 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:20.959 a curious way. That depends on whether you are going 86 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:25.720 on the moor, said I, eh, yes, I am well, 87 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:29.279 you know what my instructions are. I am sorry to intrude, 88 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:32.360 but you heard how earnestly Holmes insisted that I should 89 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:35.480 not leave you, and especially that you should not go 90 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:39.360 alone upon the moor. Sir Henry put his hand upon 91 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:43.959 my shoulder with a pleasant smile. My dear fellow, said 92 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:47.720 he those with all his wisdom did not foresee some 93 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:50.279 things which have happened since I have been on the moor. 94 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:53.360 If you understand me, I am sure that you are 95 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:55.519 the last man in the world who would wish to 96 00:05:55.519 --> 00:06:00.959 be a spoil sport. I must go out alone. It 97 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:04.839 put me in a most awkward position. I was at 98 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:07.600 a loss what to say or what to do, And 99 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:10.040 before I had made up my mind, he picked up 100 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:14.600 his cane and was gone. But when I came to 101 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:18.560 think the matter over, my conscience reproached me bitterly for 102 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:21.279 having on any pretext allowed him to go out of 103 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:25.360 my sight. I imagined what my feelings would be if 104 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.120 I had to return to you and to confess that 105 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:32.079 some misfortune had occurred through my disregard for your instructions. 106 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:36.399 I assure you my cheeks flushed at the very thought. 107 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:40.120 It might not even now be too late to overtake him. 108 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:42.920 So I set off at once in the direction of 109 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:46.839 Merripitt House. I hurried along the road at the top 110 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:50.360 of my speed, without seeing anything of Sir Henry, until 111 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:55.360 I came to the point where the moor path branches off. There, 112 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:58.560 fearing that perhaps I had come in the wrong direction 113 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:01.639 after all, I mounted a hill from which I could 114 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:04.879 command a view the same hill which is cut into 115 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:09.319 the dark quarry. Thence I saw him at once. He 116 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.199 was on the moor path, about a quarter of a 117 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:14.480 mile off, and a lady was by his side, who 118 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:18.839 could only be Miss Stapleton. It was clear that there 119 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:22.120 was already an understanding between them, and that they had 120 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:27.360 met by appointment. They were walking slowly along in deep conversation, 121 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:31.000 and I saw her making quick little movements of her hands, 122 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:33.680 as if she were very earnest in what she was saying, 123 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:37.920 while he listened intently, and once or twice shook his 124 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.519 head in strong descent. I stood among the rocks, watching them, 125 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:45.160 very much puzzled as to what I should do next. 126 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:49.160 To follow them and break into their intimate conversation seemed 127 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:52.319 to be an outrage, and yet my clear duty was 128 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:54.879 never for an instant to let him out of my sight. 129 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:59.040 To act the spy upon a friend was a hateful task. 130 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:03.040 Still I could see no better course than to observe 131 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:06.079 him from the hill, and to clear my conscience by 132 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:10.079 confessing to him afterwards what I had done. It is 133 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:13.639 true that if any sudden danger had threatened him, I 134 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.560 was too far away to be of use. And yet 135 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:18.399 I am sure that you will agree with me that 136 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:21.680 the position was very difficult, and that there was nothing 137 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:25.639 more which I could do. Our friend, Sir Henry, and 138 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:28.680 the lady had halted on the path and were standing 139 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:32.360 deeply absorbed in their conversation. When I was suddenly aware 140 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:35.600 that I was not the only witness of their interview. 141 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:40.440 A wisp of green floating in the air caught my eye, 142 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:43.679 and another glance showed me that it was carried on 143 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:46.200 a stick by a man who was moving among the 144 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:51.639 broken ground. It was Stapleton with his butterfly net. He 145 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:53.679 was very much closer to the pair than I was, 146 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:57.639 and he appeared to be moving in their direction. At 147 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:00.879 this instant, Sir Henry suddenly drew me Miss Stapleton to 148 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:04.720 his side. His arm was around her, but it seemed 149 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:06.840 to me that she was straining away from him, with 150 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:11.200 her face averted. He stooped his head to hers, and 151 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:15.360 she raised one hand as if in protest. Next moment 152 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:19.879 I saw them spring apart and turn hurriedly around. Stapleton 153 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:23.440 was the cause of the interruption. He was running wildly 154 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:28.279 towards them, his absurd net dangling behind him. He gesticulated 155 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:30.960 and almost danced with excitement in front of the lovers. 156 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:34.600 What the scene meant I could not imagine, but it 157 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.799 seemed to me that Stapleton was abusing Sir Henry, who 158 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:41.519 offered explanations, which became more angry as the other refused 159 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:47.440 to accept them. The lady stood by in haughty silence. Finally, 160 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:50.720 Stapleton turned upon his heel and beckoned in a peremptory 161 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:55.519 way to his sister, who, after an irresolute glance at 162 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:58.159 Sir Henry walked off by the side of her brother. 163 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:03.279 The natural list's angry gestures showed that the lady was 164 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:07.360 included in his displeasure. The baronet stood for a minute 165 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:10.799 looking after them, and then he walked slowly back the 166 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:14.519 way that he had come, his head hanging the very 167 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:21.480 picture of dejection. What all this meant I could not imagine, 168 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:24.759 but I was deeply ashamed to have witnessed so intimate 169 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:28.919 a scene without my friend's knowledge. I ran down the 170 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:32.360 hill therefore, and met the baronet at the bottom. His 171 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:35.559 face was flushed with anger, and his brows were wrinkled, 172 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:40.759 like one who is at his WIT's end. What to do? Hullo, Watson, 173 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:44.360 where have you dropped from? Said he? You don't mean 174 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:46.679 to say that you came after me? In spite of all. 175 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:50.320 I explained everything to him, how I had found it 176 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:53.879 impossible to remain behind, how I had followed him, and 177 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:57.320 how I had witnessed all that had occurred. For an 178 00:10:57.360 --> 00:11:01.759 instant his eyes blazed at me, but my frankness disarmed 179 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.480 his anger, and he broke at last into a rather 180 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:08.840 rueful laugh. You would have fought the middle of that 181 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:11.960 prairie a fairly safe place for a man to be private, 182 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:16.360 said he. But by thunder the whole countryside seems to 183 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:18.600 have been out to see me do my wooing, and 184 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:21.840 a mighty poor wooing at that Where had you engaged 185 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:26.039 a seat? I was on that hill quite in the 186 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:28.759 back row, eh, But her brother was well up to 187 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:32.399 the front. Did you see him come out on us? Yes? 188 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:35.639 I did. Did he ever strike you as being crazy? 189 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:39.679 This brother of hers? I can't say that he ever did. 190 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:44.120 I dare say not. I always thought of him sane 191 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:46.639 enough until to day. But you can take it from 192 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:48.919 me that either he or I ought to be in 193 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:52.720 a strait jacket. What's the matter with me? Anyhow? You've 194 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:55.639 lived near me for some weeks? Watson, tell me straight? 195 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:58.240 Is there anything that would prevent me from making a 196 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:01.840 good husband to a woman that I loved? I should 197 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:06.519 say not. He can't object to my worldly position, so 198 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:08.879 it must be myself that he has this down on. 199 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:12.480 What has he against me? I never hurt man or 200 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:15.320 woman in my life that I know of, And yet 201 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:17.159 he would not so much as let me touch the 202 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:21.559 tips of her fingers? Did he say? So? That? And 203 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:25.080 a deal more? I tell you, Watson, I've only known 204 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:27.799 her these few weeks, but from the first I just 205 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:30.639 felt that she was made for me, and she too. 206 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:33.399 She was happy when she was with me, and that 207 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:36.840 I'll swear there's a light in a woman's eyes that 208 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:40.840 speaks louder than words. But he's never let us get together. 209 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:43.360 And it was only to day, for the first time 210 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.960 that I saw a chance of having a few words 211 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:49.679 with her alone. She was glad to meet me, but 212 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.440 when she did, it was not love that she would 213 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:55.120 talk about, and she wouldn't have let me talk about 214 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:58.559 it either, if she could have stopped it. She kept 215 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:01.039 coming back to it, that this was a place of 216 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:03.840 danger and that she would never be happy until I 217 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:06.919 had left it. I told her that since I had 218 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:09.000 seen her, I was in no hurry to leave it, 219 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:12.000 and that if she really wanted me to go, the 220 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.919 only way to work it was for her to arrange 221 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:17.039 to go with me. With that, I offered, in as 222 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:20.639 many words, to marry her. But before she could answer 223 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:24.399 down came this brother of hers running at us with 224 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:27.120 a face on him like a madman. He was just 225 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:30.360 white with rage, and those light eyes of his were 226 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:34.000 blazing with fury. What was I doing with the lady. 227 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:37.879 How dared I offer her attentions which were distasteful to her? 228 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:41.759 Did I think that because I was a baronet I 229 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:44.440 could do what I liked? If he had not been 230 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:47.399 her brother, I should have known better how to answer him. 231 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:50.159 As it was. I told him that my feelings towards 232 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:52.840 his sister were such as I was not ashamed of, 233 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:55.440 and that I hoped that she might honor me by 234 00:13:55.480 --> 00:14:00.720 becoming my wife. That seemed to make the matter know better. 235 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:04.799 So then I lost my temper too, and I answered 236 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:08.279 him rather more hotly than I should, perhaps considering that 237 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:12.080 she was standing by. So it ended by his going 238 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:15.159 off with her, as you saw. And here am I 239 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:18.840 as badly puzzled a man as any in this county. 240 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:21.879 Just tell me what it all means, Watson, and I'll 241 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.840 owe you more than ever I can hope to pay. 242 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:28.759 I tried one or two explanations, but indeed I was 243 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:34.720 completely puzzled myself. Our friend's title, his fortune, his age, 244 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:38.480 his character, and his appearance are all in his favor, 245 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:42.000 and I know nothing against him, unless it be this 246 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:47.399 dark fate which runs in his family, that his advances 247 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:50.600 should be rejected. So brusquely without any reference to the 248 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:53.919 lady's own wishes, and that the lady should accept the 249 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:59.240 situation without protest is very amazing. However, our conjectures were 250 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:02.159 set at rest by a visit from Stapleton himself that 251 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:06.080 very afternoon. He had come to offer apologies for his 252 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:09.840 rudeness of the morning, and after a long private interview 253 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:12.600 with Sir Henry in his study, the upshot of their 254 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:16.159 conversation was that the breach is quite healed, and that 255 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:18.879 we are to dine at Mery Pitt House next Friday 256 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:22.559 as a sign of it. I don't say now that 257 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:26.360 he isn't a crazy man, said Sir Henry. I can't 258 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:28.279 forget the look in his eyes when he ran up 259 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:31.080 me this morning. But I must allow that no man 260 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:34.679 could make a more handsome apology than he has done. 261 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:38.879 Did he give any explanation of his conduct. His sister 262 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:43.080 is everything in his life, he says. That is natural enough, 263 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:46.000 and I am glad that he should understand her value. 264 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.679 They have always been together, and according to his account, 265 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:51.960 he has been a very lonely man with only her 266 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:55.159 as a companion, so that the thought of losing her 267 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:58.879 was really terrible to him. He had not understood. He 268 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:02.120 said that I I was becoming attached to her, But 269 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:04.120 when he saw with his own eyes that it was 270 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:07.120 really so, and that she might be taken away from him, 271 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.840 it gave him such a shock. But for a time 272 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:12.480 he was not responsible for what he said or did. 273 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:17.240 He was very sorry for all that had passed, and 274 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:20.720 he recognized how foolish and how selfish it was that 275 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:23.759 he should imagine that he could hold a beautiful woman 276 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:28.799 like his sister to himself for her whole life. If 277 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:31.279 she had to leave him, he had rather it was 278 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:34.960 to a neighbor like myself than to anyone else. But 279 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:37.440 in any case, it was a blow to him, and 280 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:39.720 it would take him some time before he could prepare 281 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:43.799 himself to meet it. He would withdraw all opposition upon 282 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:47.279 his part if I would promise for three months to 283 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:50.519 let the matter rest, and to be content with cultivating 284 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:54.240 the lady's friendship during that time without claiming her love. 285 00:16:55.440 --> 00:17:00.399 This I promised, and so the matter rests. There is 286 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:03.840 one of our small mysteries cleared up. It is something 287 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:06.279 to have touched bottom anywhere in this bog in which 288 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:10.279 we are floundering. We know now why Stapleton looked with 289 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:14.640 disfavor upon his sister's suitor, even when that sutor was 290 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:18.079 so eligible a one as Sir Henry. And now I 291 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:21.000 pass on to another thread which I have extricated out 292 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:24.359 of the tangled scheme, the mystery of the sobs in 293 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:27.559 the night of the tear stained face of Missus barrymore 294 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.680 of the secret journey of the butler to the western 295 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:35.440 lattice window. Congratulate me, my dear Holmes, and tell me 296 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.920 that I have not disappointed you as an agent, that 297 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:40.319 you do not regret the confidence which you showed in 298 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:44.759 me when you sent me down. All these things have 299 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:49.119 by one night's work been thoroughly cleared. I have said 300 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:52.519 by one night's work, but in truth it was by 301 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.759 two nights work. For on the first we drew entirely blank. 302 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:59.400 I sat up with Sir Henry in his rooms until 303 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:02.440 nearly three o'clock in the morning, but no sound of 304 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:05.839 any sort did we hear, except the chiming clock upon 305 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:10.599 the stairs. It was a most melancholy vigil, and ended 306 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:14.720 by each of us falling asleep in our chairs. Fortunately 307 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:18.119 we were not discouraged, and we determined to try again 308 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:21.759 the next night. We lowered the lamp and sat smoking 309 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:26.039 cigarettes without making the least sound. It was incredible how 310 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:29.559 slowly the hours crawled by, and yet we were helped 311 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:32.359 through it by the same sort of patient interest which 312 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:35.279 the hunter must feel as he watches the trap into 313 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:40.279 which he hopes the game may wonder. One struck and two, 314 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:42.960 and we had almost for the second time given it 315 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:46.759 up in despair, when in an instant we both sat 316 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:50.200 bolt upright in our chairs, with all our weary senses 317 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:54.000 keenly on the alert. Once more, we had heard the 318 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:59.480 creak of a step in the passage. Very stealthily, we 319 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:02.279 heard it pass along until it died away in the distance. 320 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:06.559 Then the baronet gently opened his door and we set 321 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:10.200 out in pursuit. Already our man had gone round the 322 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:14.279 gallery and the corridor was all in darkness. Softly, we 323 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:17.039 stole along until we had come into the other wing. 324 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:20.680 We were just in time to catch a glimpse of 325 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:24.559 the tall, black bearded figure, his shoulders rounded as he 326 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:28.240 tiptoed down the passage. Then he passed through the same 327 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:31.519 door as before, and the light of the candle framed 328 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:34.799 it in the darkness, and shot one single yellow beam 329 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:39.440 across the gloom of the corridor. We shuffled cautiously towards it, 330 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:42.599 trying every plank before we dared to put our whole 331 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:46.000 weight upon it. We had taken the precaution of leaving 332 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:50.400 our boots behind us, but even so the old boards 333 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:55.680 snapped and creaked beneath our tread. Sometimes it seemed impossible 334 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:59.680 that he should fail to hear our approach. However, the 335 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:03.839 man fortunately rather deaf, and he was entirely preoccupied in 336 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:07.480 that which he was doing. When at last we reached 337 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:11.160 the door and peeped through, we found him crouching at 338 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:15.799 the window, candle in hand, his white, intent face pressed 339 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:19.119 against a pane, exactly as I had seen him two 340 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:24.440 nights before. We had arranged no plan of campaign, But 341 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:26.720 the Baronet is a man to whom the most direct 342 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:30.640 way is always the most natural. He walked into the room, 343 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:34.000 and as he did so, Barrymore sprang up from the 344 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:36.599 window with a sharp hiss of his breath, and stood 345 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:41.200 livid and trembling before us. His dark eyes glaring out 346 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.759 of the white mask of his face, were full of 347 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:47.839 horror and astonishment as he gazed from Sir Henry to me, 348 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:54.119 what are you doing? Here, barymore, nothing, sir. His agitation 349 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:57.200 was so great that he could hardly speak, and the 350 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:59.880 shadows sprang up and down from the shaking of his candle. 351 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:04.119 It was the window, sir. I go round at night 352 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:09.279 to see that they are fastened on the second floor. Yes, sir, 353 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:14.400 all the windows. Look here, barrymore, said sir Henry sternly. 354 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:17.000 We have made up our minds to have the truth 355 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:19.200 out of you, so it will save you trouble to 356 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:22.960 tell it. Sooner are than later? Come now, no lies. 357 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:27.519 What were you doing at that window? The fellow looked 358 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:30.039 at us in a helpless way, and he wrung his 359 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:33.079 hands together, like one who is in the last extremity 360 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:36.960 of doubt and misery. I was doing no harm, sir. 361 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:41.279 I was holding a candle to the window. And why 362 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:45.759 were you holding a candle to the window. Don't ask me, Sinry, 363 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:49.839 don't ask me. I give you my word, sir, that 364 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:52.960 it is not my secret, and I cannot tell it 365 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.799 if it concerned no one but myself. I have not 366 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:59.480 tried to keep it from you. A sudden idea occurred 367 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:02.000 to me, and I took the candle from the trembling 368 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:05.400 hand of the butler, he must have been holding it 369 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:08.440 as a signal, said I let us see if there 370 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:11.839 is any answer. I held it as he had done, 371 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:16.079 and stared out into the darkness of the night. Vaguely 372 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:19.079 I could discern the black bank of the trees and 373 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:22.200 the lighter expanse of the moor, for the moon was 374 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:26.519 behind the clouds. And then I gave a cry of exultation, 375 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:31.480 for a tiny pin point of yellow light had suddenly 376 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:35.559 transfixed the dark veil and glowed steadily in the center 377 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:39.559 of the black square framed by the window. There it is, 378 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:44.680 I cried, No, no, sir, it is nothing, nothing at all. 379 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:49.119 The butler broke in. Are you sure you, sir? Move 380 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:52.720 your light across the window, Watson cried The baronet see 381 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:56.319 the other moves also, Now, you rascal, do you deny 382 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:59.480 that it is a signal? Come speak up? Who is 383 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:02.880 your confes Frederick out yonder? And what is this conspiracy 384 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:06.960 that is going on? The man's face became openly defiant. 385 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:11.480 It is more business and not yours. I will not tell. 386 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:16.359 Then you leave my employment right away, very good, sir. 387 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:20.119 If I must, I must, and you go in disgrace 388 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:24.200 by thunder. You may well be ashamed of yourself. Your 389 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:26.480 family has lived with mine for over a hundred years 390 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.240 under this roof, and here I find you deep in 391 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:35.079 some dark plot against me. Now now, sir, not against you. 392 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:39.920 It was a woman's voice, and missus barrymore paler and 393 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:43.000 more horror struck than her husband, was standing at the door. 394 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:46.519 Her bulky figure in a shawl and skirt might have 395 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:49.079 been comic were it not for the intensity of feeling 396 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:52.920 upon her face. We have to go, a lawyser. This 397 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:55.400 is the end of it. You can pack our things, 398 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:59.759 said the butler. Oh John, John, have they brought you 399 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:03.279 to the It is my doing, sir, Henry, all mine. 400 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:06.599 He has done nothing except for my sake. And because 401 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:10.480