The Hound of the Baskervilles

A. Conan Doyle
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 Th!s Project Gutenberg Etext Pre%ared by 0hree atsa / shree atsa@red!ff)a!l.co) The Hound of the Basker !lles by A. Conan Doyle Cha%ter 1 >r. 0herlock Hol)es >r. 0herlock Hol)es' &ho &as usually ery late !n the )orn!ngs' sa e u%on those not !nfreTuent occas!ons &hen he &as u% all n!ght' &as seated at the breakfast table. , stood u%on the hearthDrug and %!cked u% the st!ck &h!ch our !s!tor had left beh!nd h!) the n!ght before. ,t &as a f!ne' th!ck %!ece of &ood' bulbousDheaded' of the sort &h!ch !s kno&n as a LPenang la&yer.L Sust under the head &as a broad s!l er band nearly an !nch across. LTo Sa)es >ort!)er' >./.C.0.' fro) h!s fr!ends of the C.C.H.'L &as engra ed u%on !t' &!th the date L188E.L ,t &as just such a st!ck as the oldDfash!oned fa)!ly %ract!t!oner used to carryDDd!gn!f!ed' sol!d' and reassur!ng. L*ell' *atson' &hat do you )ake of !tRL Hol)es &as s!tt!ng &!th h!s back to )e' and , had g! en h!) no s!gn of )y occu%at!on. LHo& d!d you kno& &hat , &as do!ngR , bel!e e you ha e eyes !n the back of your head.L L, ha e' at least' a &ellD%ol!shed' s!l erD%lated coffeeD%ot !n front of )e'L sa!d he. LBut' tell )e' *atson' &hat do you )ake of our !s!tor's st!ckR 0!nce &e ha e been so unfortunate as to )!ss h!) and ha e no not!on of h!s errand' th!s acc!dental sou en!r beco)es of !)%ortance. ?et )e hear you reconstruct the )an by an exa)!nat!on of !t.L L, th!nk'L sa!d ,' follo&!ng as far as , could the )ethods of )y co)%an!on' Lthat Dr. >ort!)er !s a successful' elderly )ed!cal )an' &ellDestee)ed s!nce those &ho kno& h!) g! e h!) th!s )ark of the!r a%%rec!at!on.L LGood(L sa!d Hol)es. LExcellent(L L, th!nk also that the %robab!l!ty !s !n fa our of h!s be!ng a country %ract!t!oner &ho does a great deal of h!s !s!t!ng on foot.L

L*hy soRL LBecause th!s st!ck' though or!g!nally a ery handso)e one has been so knocked about that , can hardly !)ag!ne a to&n %ract!t!oner carry!ng !t. The th!ckD!ron ferrule !s &orn do&n' so !t !s e !dent that he has done a great a)ount of &alk!ng &!th !t.L LPerfectly sound(L sa!d Hol)es. LAnd then aga!n' there !s the 'fr!ends of the C.C.H.' , should guess that to be the 0o)eth!ng Hunt' the local hunt to &hose )e)bers he has %oss!bly g! en so)e surg!cal ass!stance' and &h!ch has )ade h!) a s)all %resentat!on !n return.L L/eally' *atson' you excel yourself'L sa!d Hol)es' %ush!ng back h!s cha!r and l!ght!ng a c!garette. L, a) bound to say that !n all the accounts &h!ch you ha e been so good as to g! e of )y o&n s)all ach!e e)ents you ha e hab!tually underrated your o&n ab!l!t!es. ,t )ay be that you are not yourself lu)!nous' but you are a conductor of l!ght. 0o)e %eo%le &!thout %ossess!ng gen!us ha e a re)arkable %o&er of st!)ulat!ng !t. , confess' )y dear fello&' that , a) ery )uch !n your debt.L He had ne er sa!d as )uch before' and , )ust ad)!t that h!s &ords ga e )e keen %leasure' for , had often been %!Tued by h!s !nd!fference to )y ad)!rat!on and to the atte)%ts &h!ch , had )ade to g! e %ubl!c!ty to h!s )ethods. , &as %roud' too' to th!nk that , had so far )astered h!s syste) as to a%%ly !t !n a &ay &h!ch earned h!s a%%ro al. He no& took the st!ck fro) )y hands and exa)!ned !t for a fe& )!nutes &!th h!s naked eyes. Then &!th an ex%ress!on of !nterest he la!d do&n h!s c!garette' and carry!ng the cane to the &!ndo&' he looked o er !t aga!n &!th a con ex lens. L,nterest!ng' though ele)entary'L sa!d he as he returned to h!s fa our!te corner of the settee. LThere are certa!nly one or t&o !nd!cat!ons u%on the st!ck. ,t g! es us the bas!s for se eral deduct!ons.L LHas anyth!ng esca%ed )eRL , asked &!th so)e selfD!)%ortance. L, trust that there !s noth!ng of conseTuence &h!ch , ha e o erlookedRL L, a) afra!d' )y dear *atson' that )ost of your conclus!ons &ere erroneous. *hen , sa!d that you st!)ulated )e , )eant' to be frank' that !n not!ng your fallac!es , &as occas!onally gu!ded to&ards the truth. <ot that you are ent!rely &rong !n th!s !nstance. The )an !s certa!nly a country %ract!t!oner. And he &alks a good deal.L LThen , &as r!ght.L LTo that extent.L LBut that &as all.L L<o' no' )y dear *atson' not allDDby no )eans all. , &ould suggest' for exa)%le' that a %resentat!on to a doctor !s )ore l!kely to co)e fro) a hos%!tal than fro) a hunt' and that &hen

the !n!t!als 'C.C.' are %laced before that hos%!tal the &ords 'Char!ng Cross' ery naturally suggest the)sel es.L L:ou )ay be r!ght.L LThe %robab!l!ty l!es !n that d!rect!on. And !f &e take th!s as a &ork!ng hy%othes!s &e ha e a fresh bas!s fro) &h!ch to start our construct!on of th!s unkno&n !s!tor.L L*ell' then' su%%os!ng that 'C.C.H.' does stand for 'Char!ng Cross Hos%!tal'' &hat further !nferences )ay &e dra&RL LDo none suggest the)sel esR :ou kno& )y )ethods. A%%ly the)(L L, can only th!nk of the ob !ous conclus!on that the )an has %ract!sed !n to&n before go!ng to the country.L L, th!nk that &e )!ght enture a l!ttle farther than th!s. ?ook at !t !n th!s l!ght. 5n &hat occas!on &ould !t be )ost %robable that such a %resentat!on &ould be )adeR *hen &ould h!s fr!ends un!te to g! e h!) a %ledge of the!r good &!llR 5b !ously at the )o)ent &hen Dr. >ort!)er &!thdre& fro) the ser !ce of the hos%!tal !n order to start a %ract!ce for h!)self. *e kno& there has been a %resentat!on. *e bel!e e there has been a change fro) a to&n hos%!tal to a country %ract!ce. ,s !t' then' stretch!ng our !nference too far to say that the %resentat!on &as on the occas!on of the changeRL L,t certa!nly see)s %robable.L L<o&' you &!ll obser e that he could not ha e been on the staff of the hos%!tal' s!nce only a )an &ellDestabl!shed !n a ?ondon %ract!ce could hold such a %os!t!on' and such a one &ould not dr!ft !nto the country. *hat &as he' thenR ,f he &as !n the hos%!tal and yet not on the staff he could only ha e been a houseDsurgeon or a houseD%hys!c!anDDl!ttle )ore than a sen!or student. And he left f! e years agoDDthe date !s on the st!ck. 0o your gra e' )!ddleDaged fa)!ly %ract!t!oner an!shes !nto th!n a!r' )y dear *atson' and there e)erges a young fello& under th!rty' a)!able' una)b!t!ous' absentD)!nded' and the %ossessor of a fa our!te dog' &h!ch , should descr!be roughly as be!ng larger than a terr!er and s)aller than a )ast!ff.L , laughed !ncredulously as 0herlock Hol)es leaned back !n h!s settee and ble& l!ttle &a er!ng r!ngs of s)oke u% to the ce!l!ng. LAs to the latter %art' , ha e no )eans of check!ng you'L sa!d ,' Lbut at least !t !s not d!ff!cult to f!nd out a fe& %art!culars about the )an's age and %rofess!onal career.L -ro) )y s)all )ed!cal shelf , took do&n the >ed!cal D!rectory and turned u% the na)e. There &ere se eral >ort!)ers' but only one &ho could be our !s!tor. , read h!s record aloud. L>ort!)er' Sa)es' >./.C.0.' 188#' Gr!)%en' Dart)oor' De on. HouseDsurgeon' fro) 188# to 188E' at Char!ng Cross Hos%!tal. *!nner of the Sackson %r!;e for Co)%arat! e Pathology' &!th essay ent!tled ',s D!sease a /e ers!onR' Corres%ond!ng )e)ber of the 0&ed!sh Patholog!cal 0oc!ety. Author of '0o)e -reaks of Ata !s)' A?ancet 188#B. 'Do *e ProgressR'

 L<o )ent!on of that local hunt' *atson'L sa!d Hol)es &!th a )!sch!e ous s)!le' Lbut a country doctor' as you ery astutely obser ed. , th!nk that , a) fa!rly just!f!ed !n )y !nferences. As to the adject! es' , sa!d' !f , re)e)ber r!ght' a)!able' una)b!t!ous' and absentD)!nded. ,t !s )y ex%er!ence that !t !s only an a)!able )an !n th!s &orld &ho rece! es test!)on!als' only an una)b!t!ous one &ho abandons a ?ondon career for the country' and only an absentD)!nded one &ho lea es h!s st!ck and not h!s !s!t!ngDcard after &a!t!ng an hour !n your roo).L LAnd the dogRL LHas been !n the hab!t of carry!ng th!s st!ck beh!nd h!s )aster. Be!ng a hea y st!ck the dog has held !t t!ghtly by the )!ddle' and the )arks of h!s teeth are ery %la!nly !s!ble. The dog's ja&' as sho&n !n the s%ace bet&een these )arks' !s too broad !n )y o%!n!on for a terr!er and not broad enough for a )ast!ff. ,t )ay ha e beenDDyes' by So e' !t !s a curlyDha!red s%an!el.L He had r!sen and %aced the roo) as he s%oke. <o& he halted !n the recess of the &!ndo&. There &as such a r!ng of con !ct!on !n h!s o!ce that , glanced u% !n sur%r!se. L>y dear fello&' ho& can you %oss!bly be so sure of thatRL L-or the ery s!)%le reason that , see the dog h!)self on our ery doorDste%' and there !s the r!ng of !ts o&ner. Don't )o e' , beg you' *atson. He !s a %rofess!onal brother of yours' and your %resence )ay be of ass!stance to )e. <o& !s the dra)at!c )o)ent of fate' *atson' &hen you hear a ste% u%on the sta!r &h!ch !s &alk!ng !nto your l!fe' and you kno& not &hether for good or !ll. *hat does Dr. Sa)es >ort!)er' the )an of sc!ence' ask of 0herlock Hol)es' the s%ec!al!st !n cr!)eR Co)e !n(L The a%%earance of our !s!tor &as a sur%r!se to )e' s!nce , had ex%ected a ty%!cal country %ract!t!oner. He &as a ery tall' th!n )an' &!th a long nose l!ke a beak' &h!ch jutted out bet&een t&o keen' gray eyes' set closely together and s%arkl!ng br!ghtly fro) beh!nd a %a!r of goldDr!))ed glasses. He &as clad !n a %rofess!onal but rather slo enly fash!on' for h!s frockDcoat &as d!ngy and h!s trousers frayed. Though young' h!s long back &as already bo&ed' and he &alked &!th a for&ard thrust of h!s head and a general a!r of %eer!ng bene olence. As he entered h!s eyes fell u%on the st!ck !n Hol)es's hand' and he ran to&ards !t &!th an excla)at!on of joy. L, a) so ery glad'L sa!d he. L, &as not sure &hether , had left !t here or !n the 0h!%%!ng 5ff!ce. , &ould not lose that st!ck for the &orld.L LA %resentat!on' , see'L sa!d Hol)es. L:es' s!r.L L-ro) Char!ng Cross Hos%!talRL L-ro) one or t&o fr!ends there on the occas!on of )y )arr!age.L

ASournal of Psychology' >arch' 188FB. >ed!cal 5ff!cer for the %ar!shes of Gr!)%en' Thorsley' and H!gh Barro&.L

LDear' dear' that's bad(L sa!d Hol)es' shak!ng h!s head. Dr. >ort!)er bl!nked through h!s glasses !n )!ld aston!sh)ent. L*hy &as !t badRL L5nly that you ha e d!sarranged our l!ttle deduct!ons. :our )arr!age' you sayRL L:es' s!r. , )arr!ed' and so left the hos%!tal' and &!th !t all ho%es of a consult!ng %ract!ce. ,t &as necessary to )ake a ho)e of )y o&n.L LCo)e' co)e' &e are not so far &rong' after all'L sa!d Hol)es. LAnd no&' Dr. Sa)es >ort!)erDDL L>!ster' s!r' >!sterDDa hu)ble >./.C.0.L LAnd a )an of %rec!se )!nd' e !dently.L LA dabbler !n sc!ence' >r. Hol)es' a %!cker u% of shells on the shores of the great unkno&n ocean. , %resu)e that !t !s >r. 0herlock Hol)es &ho) , a) address!ng and notDDL L<o' th!s !s )y fr!end Dr. *atson.L LGlad to )eet you' s!r. , ha e heard your na)e )ent!oned !n connect!on &!th that of your fr!end. :ou !nterest )e ery )uch' >r. Hol)es. , had hardly ex%ected so dol!choce%hal!c a skull or such &ellD)arked su%raDorb!tal de elo%)ent. *ould you ha e any object!on to )y runn!ng )y f!nger along your %ar!etal f!ssureR A cast of your skull' s!r' unt!l the or!g!nal !s a a!lable' &ould be an orna)ent to any anthro%olog!cal )useu). ,t !s not )y !ntent!on to be fulso)e' but , confess that , co et your skull.L 0herlock Hol)es &a ed our strange !s!tor !nto a cha!r. L:ou are an enthus!ast !n your l!ne of thought' , %erce! e' s!r' as , a) !n )!ne'L sa!d he. L, obser e fro) your foref!nger that you )ake your o&n c!garettes. Ha e no hes!tat!on !n l!ght!ng one.L The )an dre& out %a%er and tobacco and t&!rled the one u% !n the other &!th sur%r!s!ng dexter!ty. He had long' Tu! er!ng f!ngers as ag!le and restless as the antennae of an !nsect. Hol)es &as s!lent' but h!s l!ttle dart!ng glances sho&ed )e the !nterest &h!ch he took !n our cur!ous co)%an!on. L, %resu)e' s!r'L sa!d he at last' Lthat !t &as not )erely for the %ur%ose of exa)!n!ng )y skull that you ha e done )e the honour to call here last n!ght and aga!n todayRL L<o' s!r' noK though , a) ha%%y to ha e had the o%%ortun!ty of do!ng that as &ell. , ca)e to you' >r. Hol)es' because , recogn!;ed that , a) )yself an un%ract!cal )an and because , a) suddenly confronted &!th a )ost ser!ous and extraord!nary %roble). /ecogn!;!ng' as , do' that you are the second h!ghest ex%ert !n Euro%eDDL L,ndeed' s!r( >ay , !nTu!re &ho has the honour to be the f!rstRL asked Hol)es &!th so)e as%er!ty.

LTo the )an of %rec!sely sc!ent!f!c )!nd the &ork of >ons!eur Bert!llon )ust al&ays a%%eal strongly.L LThen had you not better consult h!)RL L, sa!d' s!r' to the %rec!sely sc!ent!f!c )!nd. But as a %ract!cal )an of affa!rs !t !s ackno&ledged that you stand alone. , trust' s!r' that , ha e not !nad ertentlyDDL LSust a l!ttle'L sa!d Hol)es. L, th!nk' Dr. >ort!)er' you &ould do &!sely !f &!thout )ore ado you &ould k!ndly tell )e %la!nly &hat the exact nature of the %roble) !s !n &h!ch you de)and )y ass!stance.L Cha%ter # The Curse of the Basker !lles L, ha e !n )y %ocket a )anuscr!%t'L sa!d Dr. Sa)es >ort!)er. L, obser ed !t as you entered the roo)'L sa!d Hol)es. L,t !s an old )anuscr!%t.L LEarly e!ghteenth century' unless !t !s a forgery.L LHo& can you say that' s!rRL L:ou ha e %resented an !nch or t&o of !t to )y exa)!nat!on all the t!)e that you ha e been talk!ng. ,t &ould be a %oor ex%ert &ho could not g! e the date of a docu)ent &!th!n a decade or so. :ou )ay %oss!bly ha e read )y l!ttle )onogra%h u%on the subject. , %ut that at 13F6.L LThe exact date !s 13E#.L Dr. >ort!)er dre& !t fro) h!s breastD %ocket. LTh!s fa)!ly %a%er &as co))!tted to )y care by 0!r Charles Basker !lle' &hose sudden and trag!c death so)e three )onths ago created so )uch exc!te)ent !n De onsh!re. , )ay say that , &as h!s %ersonal fr!end as &ell as h!s )ed!cal attendant. He &as a strongD)!nded )an' s!r' shre&d' %ract!cal' and as un!)ag!nat! e as , a) )yself. :et he took th!s docu)ent ery ser!ously' and h!s )!nd &as %re%ared for just such an end as d!d e entually o ertake h!).L Hol)es stretched out h!s hand for the )anuscr!%t and flattened !t u%on h!s knee. L:ou &!ll obser e' *atson' the alternat! e use of the long s and the short. ,t !s one of se eral !nd!cat!ons &h!ch enabled )e to f!x the date.L , looked o er h!s shoulder at the yello& %a%er and the faded scr!%t. At the head &as &r!tten4 LBasker !lle Hall'L and belo& !n large' scra&l!ng f!gures4 L13E#.L L,t a%%ears to be a state)ent of so)e sort.L

L:es' !t !s a state)ent of a certa!n legend &h!ch runs !n the Basker !lle fa)!ly.L LBut , understand that !t !s so)eth!ng )ore )odern and %ract!cal u%on &h!ch you &!sh to consult )eRL L>ost )odern. A )ost %ract!cal' %ress!ng )atter' &h!ch )ust be dec!ded &!th!n t&entyDfour hours. But the )anuscr!%t !s short and !s !nt!)ately connected &!th the affa!r. *!th your %er)!ss!on , &!ll read !t to you.L Hol)es leaned back !n h!s cha!r' %laced h!s f!ngerDt!%s together' and closed h!s eyes' &!th an a!r of res!gnat!on. Dr. >ort!)er turned the )anuscr!%t to the l!ght and read !n a h!gh' crack!ng o!ce the follo&!ng cur!ous' oldD&orld narrat! e4 L5f the or!g!n of the Hound of the Basker !lles there ha e been )any state)ents' yet as , co)e !n a d!rect l!ne fro) Hugo Basker !lle' and as , had the story fro) )y father' &ho also had !t fro) h!s' , ha e set !t do&n &!th all bel!ef that !t occurred e en as !s here set forth. And , &ould ha e you bel!e e' )y sons' that the sa)e Sust!ce &h!ch %un!shes s!n )ay also )ost grac!ously forg! e !t' and that no ban !s so hea y but that by %rayer and re%entance !t )ay be re)o ed. ?earn then fro) th!s story not to fear the fru!ts of the %ast' but rather to be c!rcu)s%ect !n the future' that those foul %ass!ons &hereby our fa)!ly has suffered so gr!e ously )ay not aga!n be loosed to our undo!ng. LVno& then that !n the t!)e of the Great /ebell!on Athe h!story of &h!ch by the learned ?ord Clarendon , )ost earnestly co))end to your attent!onB th!s >anor of Basker !lle &as held by Hugo of that na)e' nor can !t be ga!nsa!d that he &as a )ost &!ld' %rofane' and godless )an. Th!s' !n truth' h!s ne!ghbours )!ght ha e %ardoned' see!ng that sa!nts ha e ne er flour!shed !n those %arts' but there &as !n h!) a certa!n &anton and cruel hu)our &h!ch )ade h!s na)e a byD&ord through the *est. ,t chanced that th!s Hugo ca)e to lo e A!f' !ndeed' so dark a %ass!on )ay be kno&n under so br!ght a na)eB the daughter of a yeo)an &ho held lands near the Basker !lle estate. But the young )a!den' be!ng d!screet and of good re%ute' &ould e er a o!d h!)' for she feared h!s e !l na)e. 0o !t ca)e to %ass that one >!chael)as th!s Hugo' &!th f! e or s!x of h!s !dle and &!cked co)%an!ons' stole do&n u%on the far) and carr!ed off the )a!den' her father and brothers be!ng fro) ho)e' as he &ell kne&. *hen they had brought her to the Hall the )a!den &as %laced !n an u%%er cha)ber' &h!le Hugo and h!s fr!ends sat do&n to a long carouse' as &as the!r n!ghtly custo). <o&' the %oor lass u%sta!rs &as l!ke to ha e her &!ts turned at the s!ng!ng and shout!ng and terr!ble oaths &h!ch ca)e u% to her fro) belo&' for they say that the &ords used by Hugo Basker !lle' &hen he &as !n &!ne' &ere such as )!ght blast the )an &ho sa!d the). At last !n the stress of her fear she d!d that &h!ch )!ght ha e daunted the bra est or )ost act! e )an' for by the a!d of the gro&th of ! y &h!ch co ered Aand st!ll co ersB the south &all she ca)e do&n fro) under the

ea es' and so ho)e&ard across the )oor' there be!ng three leagues bet&!xt the Hall and her father's far). L,t chanced that so)e l!ttle t!)e later Hugo left h!s guests to carry food and dr!nkDD&!th other &orse th!ngs' %erchanceDDto h!s ca%t! e' and so found the cage e)%ty and the b!rd esca%ed. Then' as !t &ould see)' he beca)e as one that hath a de !l' for' rush!ng do&n the sta!rs !nto the d!n!ngDhall' he s%rang u%on the great table' flagons and trenchers fly!ng before h!)' and he cr!ed aloud before all the co)%any that he &ould that ery n!ght render h!s body and soul to the Po&ers of E !l !f he )!ght but o ertake the &ench. And &h!le the re ellers stood aghast at the fury of the )an' one )ore &!cked or' !t )ay be' )ore drunken than the rest' cr!ed out that they should %ut the hounds u%on her. *hereat Hugo ran fro) the house' cry!ng to h!s groo)s that they should saddle h!s )are and unkennel the %ack' and g! !ng the hounds a kerch!ef of the )a!d's' he s&ung the) to the l!ne' and so off full cry !n the )oonl!ght o er the )oor. L<o&' for so)e s%ace the re ellers stood aga%e' unable to understand all that had been done !n such haste. But anon the!r be)used &!ts a&oke to the nature of the deed &h!ch &as l!ke to be done u%on the )oorlands. E eryth!ng &as no& !n an u%roar' so)e call!ng for the!r %!stols' so)e for the!r horses' and so)e for another flask of &!ne. But at length so)e sense ca)e back to the!r cra;ed )!nds' and the &hole of the)' th!rteen !n nu)ber' took horse and started !n %ursu!t. The )oon shone clear abo e the)' and they rode s&!ftly abreast' tak!ng that course &h!ch the )a!d )ust needs ha e taken !f she &ere to reach her o&n ho)e. LThey had gone a )!le or t&o &hen they %assed one of the n!ght she%herds u%on the )oorlands' and they cr!ed to h!) to kno& !f he had seen the hunt. And the )an' as the story goes' &as so cra;ed &!th fear that he could scarce s%eak' but at last he sa!d that he had !ndeed seen the unha%%y )a!den' &!th the hounds u%on her track. 'But , ha e seen )ore than that'' sa!d he' 'for Hugo Basker !lle %assed )e u%on h!s black )are' and there ran )ute beh!nd h!) such a hound of hell as God forb!d should e er be at )y heels.' 0o the drunken sTu!res cursed the she%herd and rode on&ard. But soon the!r sk!ns turned cold' for there ca)e a gallo%!ng across the )oor' and the black )are' dabbled &!th &h!te froth' &ent %ast &!th tra!l!ng br!dle and e)%ty saddle. Then the re ellers rode close together' for a great fear &as on the)' but they st!ll follo&ed o er the )oor' though each' had he been alone' &ould ha e been r!ght glad to ha e turned h!s horse's head. /!d!ng slo&ly !n th!s fash!on they ca)e at last u%on the hounds. These' though kno&n for the!r alour and the!r breed' &ere &h!)%er!ng !n a cluster at the head of a dee% d!% or goyal' as &e call !t' u%on the )oor' so)e sl!nk!ng a&ay and so)e' &!th start!ng hackles and star!ng eyes' ga;!ng do&n the narro& alley before the). LThe co)%any had co)e to a halt' )ore sober )en' as you

)ay guess' than &hen they started. The )ost of the) &ould by no )eans ad ance' but three of the)' the boldest' or !t )ay be the )ost drunken' rode for&ard do&n the goyal. <o&' !t o%ened !nto a broad s%ace !n &h!ch stood t&o of those great stones' st!ll to be seen there' &h!ch &ere set by certa!n forgotten %eo%les !n the days of old. The )oon &as sh!n!ng br!ght u%on the clear!ng' and there !n the centre lay the unha%%y )a!d &here she had fallen' dead of fear and of fat!gue. But !t &as not the s!ght of her body' nor yet &as !t that of the body of Hugo Basker !lle ly!ng near her' &h!ch ra!sed the ha!r u%on the heads of these three dareDde !l roysterers' but !t &as that' stand!ng o er Hugo' and %luck!ng at h!s throat' there stood a foul th!ng' a great' black beast' sha%ed l!ke a hound' yet larger than any hound that e er )ortal eye has rested u%on. And e en as they looked the th!ng tore the throat out of Hugo Basker !lle' on &h!ch' as !t turned !ts bla;!ng eyes and dr!%%!ng ja&s u%on the)' the three shr!eked &!th fear and rode for dear l!fe' st!ll screa)!ng' across the )oor. 5ne' !t !s sa!d' d!ed that ery n!ght of &hat he had seen' and the other t&a!n &ere but broken )en for the rest of the!r days. L0uch !s the tale' )y sons' of the co)!ng of the hound &h!ch !s sa!d to ha e %lagued the fa)!ly so sorely e er s!nce. ,f , ha e set !t do&n !t !s because that &h!ch !s clearly kno&n hath less terror than that &h!ch !s but h!nted at and guessed. <or can !t be den!ed that )any of the fa)!ly ha e been unha%%y !n the!r deaths' &h!ch ha e been sudden' bloody' and )yster!ous. :et )ay &e shelter oursel es !n the !nf!n!te goodness of Pro !dence' &h!ch &ould not fore er %un!sh the !nnocent beyond that th!rd or fourth generat!on &h!ch !s threatened !n Holy *r!t. To that Pro !dence' )y sons' , hereby co))end you' and , counsel you by &ay of caut!on to forbear fro) cross!ng the )oor !n those dark hours &hen the %o&ers of e !l are exalted. L7Th!s fro) Hugo Basker !lle to h!s sons /odger and Sohn' &!th !nstruct!ons that they say noth!ng thereof to the!r s!ster El!;abeth.9L

*hen Dr. >ort!)er had f!n!shed read!ng th!s s!ngular narrat! e he %ushed h!s s%ectacles u% on h!s forehead and stared across at >r. 0herlock Hol)es. The latter ya&ned and tossed the end of h!s c!garette !nto the f!re. L*ellRL sa!d he. LDo you not f!nd !t !nterest!ngRL LTo a collector of fa!ry tales.L Dr. >ort!)er dre& a folded ne&s%a%er out of h!s %ocket. L<o&' >r. Hol)es' &e &!ll g! e you so)eth!ng a l!ttle )ore recent. Th!s !s the De on County Chron!cle of >ay 1Eth of th!s year. ,t !s a short account of the facts el!c!ted at the death of 0!r Charles Basker !lle &h!ch occurred a fe& days before that date.L

 >y fr!end leaned a l!ttle for&ard and h!s ex%ress!on beca)e !ntent. 5ur !s!tor readjusted h!s glasses and began4 LThe recent sudden death of 0!r Charles Basker !lle' &hose na)e has been )ent!oned as the %robable ?!beral cand!date for >!dDDe on at the next elect!on' has cast a gloo) o er the county. Though 0!r Charles had res!ded at Basker !lle Hall for a co)%arat! ely short %er!od h!s a)!ab!l!ty of character and extre)e generos!ty had &on the affect!on and res%ect of all &ho had been brought !nto contact &!th h!). ,n these days of nou eaux r!ches !t !s refresh!ng to f!nd a case &here the sc!on of an old county fa)!ly &h!ch has fallen u%on e !l days !s able to )ake h!s o&n fortune and to br!ng !t back &!th h!) to restore the fallen grandeur of h!s l!ne. 0!r Charles' as !s &ell kno&n' )ade large su)s of )oney !n 0outh Afr!can s%eculat!on. >ore &!se than those &ho go on unt!l the &heel turns aga!nst the)' he real!;ed h!s ga!ns and returned to England &!th the). ,t !s only t&o years s!nce he took u% h!s res!dence at Basker !lle Hall' and !t !s co))on talk ho& large &ere those sche)es of reconstruct!on and !)%ro e)ent &h!ch ha e been !nterru%ted by h!s death. Be!ng h!)self ch!ldless' !t &as h!s o%enly ex%ressed des!re that the &hole countrys!de should' &!th!n h!s o&n l!fet!)e' %rof!t by h!s good fortune' and )any &!ll ha e %ersonal reasons for be&a!l!ng h!s unt!)ely end. H!s generous donat!ons to local and county char!t!es ha e been freTuently chron!cled !n these colu)ns. LThe c!rcu)stances connected &!th the death of 0!r Charles cannot be sa!d to ha e been ent!rely cleared u% by the !nTuest' but at least enough has been done to d!s%ose of those ru)ours to &h!ch local su%erst!t!on has g! en r!se. There !s no reason &hate er to sus%ect foul %lay' or to !)ag!ne that death could be fro) any but natural causes. 0!r Charles &as a &!do&er' and a )an &ho )ay be sa!d to ha e been !n so)e &ays of an eccentr!c hab!t of )!nd. ,n s%!te of h!s cons!derable &ealth he &as s!)%le !n h!s %ersonal tastes' and h!s !ndoor ser ants at Basker !lle Hall cons!sted of a )arr!ed cou%le na)ed Barry)ore' the husband act!ng as butler and the &!fe as housekee%er. The!r e !dence' corroborated by that of se eral fr!ends' tends to sho& that 0!r Charles's health has for so)e t!)e been !)%a!red' and %o!nts es%ec!ally to so)e affect!on of the heart' )an!fest!ng !tself !n changes of colour' breathlessness' and acute attacks of ner ous de%ress!on. Dr. Sa)es >ort!)er' the fr!end and )ed!cal attendant of the deceased' has g! en e !dence to the sa)e effect. LThe facts of the case are s!)%le. 0!r Charles Basker !lle &as !n the hab!t e ery n!ght before go!ng to bed of &alk!ng do&n the fa)ous ye& alley of Basker !lle Hall. The e !dence of the Barry)ores sho&s that th!s had been h!s custo). 5n the fourth of >ay 0!r Charles had declared h!s !ntent!on of start!ng next day for ?ondon' and had ordered Barry)ore to %re%are h!s luggage. That n!ght he &ent out as usual for h!s nocturnal &alk' !n the course of &h!ch he &as !n the hab!t of s)ok!ng a c!gar. He ne er returned. At

 Dr. >ort!)er refolded h!s %a%er and re%laced !t !n h!s %ocket. LThose are the %ubl!c facts' >r. Hol)es' !n connect!on &!th the death of 0!r Charles Basker !lle.L L, )ust thank you'L sa!d 0herlock Hol)es' Lfor call!ng )y attent!on to a case &h!ch certa!nly %resents so)e features of !nterest. , had obser ed so)e ne&s%a%er co))ent at the t!)e' but , &as exceed!ngly %reoccu%!ed by that l!ttle affa!r of the .at!can ca)eos' and !n )y anx!ety to obl!ge the Po%e , lost touch &!th se eral !nterest!ng Engl!sh cases. Th!s art!cle' you say' conta!ns all the %ubl!c factsRL L,t does.L LThen let )e ha e the %r! ate ones.L He leaned back' %ut h!s f!ngerDt!%s together' and assu)ed h!s )ost !)%ass! e and jud!c!al ex%ress!on. L,n do!ng so'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er' &ho had begun to sho& s!gns of

t&el e o'clock Barry)ore' f!nd!ng the hall door st!ll o%en' beca)e alar)ed' and' l!ght!ng a lantern' &ent !n search of h!s )aster. The day had been &et' and 0!r Charles's foot)arks &ere eas!ly traced do&n the alley. Half&ay do&n th!s &alk there !s a gate &h!ch leads out on to the )oor. There &ere !nd!cat!ons that 0!r Charles had stood for so)e l!ttle t!)e here. He then %roceeded do&n the alley' and !t &as at the far end of !t that h!s body &as d!sco ered. 5ne fact &h!ch has not been ex%la!ned !s the state)ent of Barry)ore that h!s )aster's foot%r!nts altered the!r character fro) the t!)e that he %assed the )oorDgate' and that he a%%eared fro) thence on&ard to ha e been &alk!ng u%on h!s toes. 5ne >ur%hy' a g!%sy horseDdealer' &as on the )oor at no great d!stance at the t!)e' but he a%%ears by h!s o&n confess!on to ha e been the &orse for dr!nk. He declares that he heard cr!es but !s unable to state fro) &hat d!rect!on they ca)e. <o s!gns of !olence &ere to be d!sco ered u%on 0!r Charles's %erson' and though the doctor's e !dence %o!nted to an al)ost !ncred!ble fac!al d!stort!onDDso great that Dr. >ort!)er refused at f!rst to bel!e e that !t &as !ndeed h!s fr!end and %at!ent &ho lay before h!)DD!t &as ex%la!ned that that !s a sy)%to) &h!ch !s not unusual !n cases of dys%noea and death fro) card!ac exhaust!on. Th!s ex%lanat!on &as borne out by the %ostD)orte) exa)!nat!on' &h!ch sho&ed longDstand!ng organ!c d!sease' and the coroner's jury returned a erd!ct !n accordance &!th the )ed!cal e !dence. ,t !s &ell that th!s !s so' for !t !s ob !ously of the ut)ost !)%ortance that 0!r Charles's he!r should settle at the Hall and cont!nue the good &ork &h!ch has been so sadly !nterru%ted. Had the %rosa!c f!nd!ng of the coroner not f!nally %ut an end to the ro)ant!c stor!es &h!ch ha e been &h!s%ered !n connect!on &!th the affa!r' !t )!ght ha e been d!ff!cult to f!nd a tenant for Basker !lle Hall. ,t !s understood that the next of k!n !s >r. Henry Basker !lle' !f he be st!ll al! e' the son of 0!r Charles Basker !lle's younger brother. The young )an &hen last heard of &as !n A)er!ca' and !nTu!r!es are be!ng !nst!tuted &!th a !e& to !nfor)!ng h!) of h!s good fortune.L

so)e strong e)ot!on' L, a) tell!ng that &h!ch , ha e not conf!ded to anyone. >y )ot! e for &!thhold!ng !t fro) the coroner's !nTu!ry !s that a )an of sc!ence shr!nks fro) %lac!ng h!)self !n the %ubl!c %os!t!on of see)!ng to !ndorse a %o%ular su%erst!t!on. , had the further )ot! e that Basker !lle Hall' as the %a%er says' &ould certa!nly re)a!n untenanted !f anyth!ng &ere done to !ncrease !ts already rather gr!) re%utat!on. -or both these reasons , thought that , &as just!f!ed !n tell!ng rather less than , kne&' s!nce no %ract!cal good could result fro) !t' but &!th you there !s no reason &hy , should not be %erfectly frank. LThe )oor !s ery s%arsely !nhab!ted' and those &ho l! e near each other are thro&n ery )uch together. -or th!s reason , sa& a good deal of 0!r Charles Basker !lle. *!th the exce%t!on of >r. -rankland' of ?after Hall' and >r. 0ta%leton' the natural!st' there are no other )en of educat!on &!th!n )any )!les. 0!r Charles &as a ret!r!ng )an' but the chance of h!s !llness brought us together' and a co))un!ty of !nterests !n sc!ence ke%t us so. He had brought back )uch sc!ent!f!c !nfor)at!on fro) 0outh Afr!ca' and )any a char)!ng e en!ng &e ha e s%ent together d!scuss!ng the co)%arat! e anato)y of the Bush)an and the Hottentot. L*!th!n the last fe& )onths !t beca)e !ncreas!ngly %la!n to )e that 0!r Charles's ner ous syste) &as stra!ned to the break!ng %o!nt. He had taken th!s legend &h!ch , ha e read you exceed!ngly to heartDDso )uch so that' although he &ould &alk !n h!s o&n grounds' noth!ng &ould !nduce h!) to go out u%on the )oor at n!ght. ,ncred!ble as !t )ay a%%ear to you' >r. Hol)es' he &as honestly con !nced that a dreadful fate o erhung h!s fa)!ly' and certa!nly the records &h!ch he &as able to g! e of h!s ancestors &ere not encourag!ng. The !dea of so)e ghastly %resence constantly haunted h!)' and on )ore than one occas!on he has asked )e &hether , had on )y )ed!cal journeys at n!ght e er seen any strange creature or heard the bay!ng of a hound. The latter Tuest!on he %ut to )e se eral t!)es' and al&ays &!th a o!ce &h!ch !brated &!th exc!te)ent. L, can &ell re)e)ber dr! !ng u% to h!s house !n the e en!ng so)e three &eeks before the fatal e ent. He chanced to be at h!s hall door. , had descended fro) )y g!g and &as stand!ng !n front of h!)' &hen , sa& h!s eyes f!x the)sel es o er )y shoulder and stare %ast )e &!th an ex%ress!on of the )ost dreadful horror. , &h!sked round and had just t!)e to catch a gl!)%se of so)eth!ng &h!ch , took to be a large black calf %ass!ng at the head of the dr! e. 0o exc!ted and alar)ed &as he that , &as co)%elled to go do&n to the s%ot &here the an!)al had been and look around for !t. ,t &as gone' ho&e er' and the !nc!dent a%%eared to )ake the &orst !)%ress!on u%on h!s )!nd. , stayed &!th h!) all the e en!ng' and !t &as on that occas!on' to ex%la!n the e)ot!on &h!ch he had sho&n' that he conf!ded to )y kee%!ng that narrat! e &h!ch , read to you &hen f!rst , ca)e. , )ent!on th!s s)all e%!sode because !t assu)es so)e !)%ortance !n !e& of the tragedy &h!ch follo&ed' but , &as con !nced at the t!)e that the )atter &as ent!rely tr! !al and that h!s exc!te)ent had no just!f!cat!on. L,t &as at )y ad !ce that 0!r Charles &as about to go to ?ondon. H!s heart &as' , kne&' affected' and the constant anx!ety !n &h!ch he l! ed' ho&e er ch!)er!cal the cause of !t )!ght be' &as e !dently ha !ng a ser!ous effect u%on h!s health. , thought

that a fe& )onths a)ong the d!stract!ons of to&n &ould send h!) back a ne& )an. >r. 0ta%leton' a )utual fr!end &ho &as )uch concerned at h!s state of health' &as of the sa)e o%!n!on. At the last !nstant ca)e th!s terr!ble catastro%he. L5n the n!ght of 0!r Charles's death Barry)ore the butler' &ho )ade the d!sco ery' sent Perk!ns the groo) on horseback to )e' and as , &as s!tt!ng u% late , &as able to reach Basker !lle Hall &!th!n an hour of the e ent. , checked and corroborated all the facts &h!ch &ere )ent!oned at the !nTuest. , follo&ed the footste%s do&n the ye& alley' , sa& the s%ot at the )oorDgate &here he see)ed to ha e &a!ted' , re)arked the change !n the sha%e of the %r!nts after that %o!nt' , noted that there &ere no other footste%s sa e those of Barry)ore on the soft gra el' and f!nally , carefully exa)!ned the body' &h!ch had not been touched unt!l )y arr! al. 0!r Charles lay on h!s face' h!s ar)s out' h!s f!ngers dug !nto the ground' and h!s features con ulsed &!th so)e strong e)ot!on to such an extent that , could hardly ha e s&orn to h!s !dent!ty. There &as certa!nly no %hys!cal !njury of any k!nd. But one false state)ent &as )ade by Barry)ore at the !nTuest. He sa!d that there &ere no traces u%on the ground round the body. He d!d not obser e any. But , d!dDDso)e l!ttle d!stance off' but fresh and clear.L L-oot%r!ntsRL L-oot%r!nts.L LA )an's or a &o)an'sRL Dr. >ort!)er looked strangely at us for an !nstant' and h!s o!ce sank al)ost to a &h!s%er as he ans&ered. L>r. Hol)es' they &ere the foot%r!nts of a g!gant!c hound(L Cha%ter F The Proble) , confess at these &ords a shudder %assed through )e. There &as a thr!ll !n the doctor's o!ce &h!ch sho&ed that he &as h!)self dee%ly )o ed by that &h!ch he told us. Hol)es leaned for&ard !n h!s exc!te)ent and h!s eyes had the hard' dry gl!tter &h!ch shot fro) the) &hen he &as keenly !nterested. L:ou sa& th!sRL LAs clearly as , see you.L LAnd you sa!d noth!ngRL L*hat &as the useRL LHo& &as !t that no one else sa& !tRL

LThe )arks &ere so)e t&enty yards fro) the body and no one ga e the) a thought. , don't su%%ose , should ha e done so had , not kno&n th!s legend.L LThere are )any shee%Ddogs on the )oorRL L<o doubt' but th!s &as no shee%Ddog.L L:ou say !t &as largeRL LEnor)ous.L LBut !t had not a%%roached the bodyRL L<o.L L*hat sort of n!ght &as !tR' LDa)% and ra&.L LBut not actually ra!n!ngRL L<o.L L*hat !s the alley l!keRL LThere are t&o l!nes of old ye& hedge' t&el e feet h!gh and !)%enetrable. The &alk !n the centre !s about e!ght feet across.L L,s there anyth!ng bet&een the hedges and the &alkRL L:es' there !s a str!% of grass about s!x feet broad on e!ther s!de.L L, understand that the ye& hedge !s %enetrated at one %o!nt by a gateRL L:es' the &!cketDgate &h!ch leads on to the )oor.L L,s there any other o%en!ngRL L<one.L L0o that to reach the ye& alley one e!ther has to co)e do&n !t fro) the house or else to enter !t by the )oorDgateRL LThere !s an ex!t through a su))erDhouse at the far end.L LHad 0!r Charles reached th!sRL L<oK he lay about f!fty yards fro) !t.L L<o&' tell )e' Dr. >ort!)erDDand th!s !s !)%ortantDDthe )arks &h!ch you sa& &ere on the %ath and not on the grassRL L<o )arks could sho& on the grass.L L*ere they on the sa)e s!de of the %ath as the )oorDgateRL L:esK they &ere on the edge of the %ath on the sa)e s!de as the )oorDgate.L

 L:ou !nterest )e exceed!ngly. Another %o!nt. *as the &!cketDgate closedRL LClosed and %adlocked.L LHo& h!gh &as !tRL LAbout four feet h!gh.L LThen anyone could ha e got o er !tRL L:es.L LAnd &hat )arks d!d you see by the &!cketDgateRL L<one !n %art!cular.L LGood hea en( D!d no one exa)!neRL L:es' , exa)!ned' )yself.L LAnd found noth!ngRL L,t &as all ery confused. 0!r Charles had e !dently stood there for f! e or ten )!nutes.L LHo& do you kno& thatRL LBecause the ash had t&!ce dro%%ed fro) h!s c!gar.L LExcellent( Th!s !s a colleague' *atson' after our o&n heart. But the )arksRL LHe had left h!s o&n )arks all o er that s)all %atch of gra el. , could d!scern no others.L 0herlock Hol)es struck h!s hand aga!nst h!s knee &!th an !)%at!ent gesture. L,f , had only been there(L he cr!ed. L,t !s e !dently a case of extraord!nary !nterest' and one &h!ch %resented !))ense o%%ortun!t!es to the sc!ent!f!c ex%ert. That gra el %age u%on &h!ch , )!ght ha e read so )uch has been long ere th!s s)udged by the ra!n and defaced by the clogs of cur!ous %easants. 5h' Dr. >ort!)er' Dr. >ort!)er' to th!nk that you should not ha e called )e !n( :ou ha e !ndeed )uch to ans&er for.L L, could not call you !n' >r. Hol)es' &!thout d!sclos!ng these facts to the &orld' and , ha e already g! en )y reasons for not &!sh!ng to do so. Bes!des' bes!desDDL L*hy do you hes!tateRL LThere !s a real) !n &h!ch the )ost acute and )ost ex%er!enced of detect! es !s hel%less.L L:ou )ean that the th!ng !s su%ernaturalRL

L, d!d not %os!t! ely say so.L L<o' but you e !dently th!nk !t.L L0!nce the tragedy' >r. Hol)es' there ha e co)e to )y ears se eral !nc!dents &h!ch are hard to reconc!le &!th the settled order of <ature.L L-or exa)%leRL L, f!nd that before the terr!ble e ent occurred se eral %eo%le had seen a creature u%on the )oor &h!ch corres%onds &!th th!s Basker !lle de)on' and &h!ch could not %oss!bly be any an!)al kno&n to sc!ence. They all agreed that !t &as a huge creature' lu)!nous' ghastly' and s%ectral. , ha e crossDexa)!ned these )en' one of the) a hardDheaded country)an' one a farr!er' and one a )oorland far)er' &ho all tell the sa)e story of th!s dreadful a%%ar!t!on' exactly corres%ond!ng to the hellDhound of the legend. , assure you that there !s a re!gn of terror !n the d!str!ct' and that !t !s a hardy )an &ho &!ll cross the )oor at n!ght.L LAnd you' a tra!ned )an of sc!ence' bel!e e !t to be su%ernaturalRL L, do not kno& &hat to bel!e e.L Hol)es shrugged h!s shoulders. L, ha e h!therto conf!ned )y !n est!gat!ons to th!s &orld'L sa!d he. L,n a )odest &ay , ha e co)bated e !l' but to take on the -ather of E !l h!)self &ould' %erha%s' be too a)b!t!ous a task. :et you )ust ad)!t that the foot)ark !s )ater!al.L LThe or!g!nal hound &as )ater!al enough to tug a )an's throat out' and yet he &as d!abol!cal as &ell.L L, see that you ha e Tu!te gone o er to the su%ernatural!sts. But no&' Dr. >ort!)er' tell )e th!s. ,f you hold these !e&s' &hy ha e you co)e to consult )e at allR :ou tell )e !n the sa)e breath that !t !s useless to !n est!gate 0!r Charles's death' and that you des!re )e to do !t.L L, d!d not say that , des!red you to do !t.L LThen' ho& can , ass!st youRL LBy ad !s!ng )e as to &hat , should do &!th 0!r Henry Basker !lle' &ho arr! es at *aterloo 0tat!onLDDDr. >ort!)er looked at h!s &atchDDL!n exactly one hour and a Tuarter.L LHe be!ng the he!rRL L:es. 5n the death of 0!r Charles &e !nTu!red for th!s young gentle)an and found that he had been far)!ng !n Canada. -ro) the accounts &h!ch ha e reached us he !s an excellent fello& !n e ery &ay. , s%eak no& not as a )ed!cal )an but as a trustee and executor of 0!r Charles's &!ll.L LThere !s no other cla!)ant' , %resu)eRL L<one. The only other k!ns)an &ho) &e ha e been able to trace &as /odger Basker !lle' the youngest of three brothers of &ho)

%oor 0!r Charles &as the elder. The second brother' &ho d!ed young' !s the father of th!s lad Henry. The th!rd' /odger' &as the black shee% of the fa)!ly. He ca)e of the old )asterful Basker !lle stra!n and &as the ery !)age' they tell )e' of the fa)!ly %!cture of old Hugo. He )ade England too hot to hold h!)' fled to Central A)er!ca' and d!ed there !n 183N of yello& fe er. Henry !s the last of the Basker !lles. ,n one hour and f! e )!nutes , )eet h!) at *aterloo 0tat!on. , ha e had a &!re that he arr! ed at 0outha)%ton th!s )orn!ng. <o&' >r. Hol)es' &hat &ould you ad !se )e to do &!th h!)RL L*hy should he not go to the ho)e of h!s fathersRL L,t see)s natural' does !t notR And yet' cons!der that e ery Basker !lle &ho goes there )eets &!th an e !l fate. , feel sure that !f 0!r Charles could ha e s%oken &!th )e before h!s death he &ould ha e &arned )e aga!nst br!ng!ng th!s' the last of the old race' and the he!r to great &ealth' to that deadly %lace. And yet !t cannot be den!ed that the %ros%er!ty of the &hole %oor' bleak countrys!de de%ends u%on h!s %resence. All the good &ork &h!ch has been done by 0!r Charles &!ll crash to the ground !f there !s no tenant of the Hall. , fear lest , should be s&ayed too )uch by )y o&n ob !ous !nterest !n the )atter' and that !s &hy , br!ng the case before you and ask for your ad !ce.L Hol)es cons!dered for a l!ttle t!)e. LPut !nto %la!n &ords' the )atter !s th!s'L sa!d he. L,n your o%!n!on there !s a d!abol!cal agency &h!ch )akes Dart)oor an unsafe abode for a Basker !lleDDthat !s your o%!n!onRL LAt least , )!ght go the length of say!ng that there !s so)e e !dence that th!s )ay be so.L LExactly. But surely' !f your su%ernatural theory be correct' !t could &ork the young )an e !l !n ?ondon as eas!ly as !n De onsh!re. A de !l &!th )erely local %o&ers l!ke a %ar!sh estry &ould be too !nconce! able a th!ng.L L:ou %ut the )atter )ore fl!%%antly' >r. Hol)es' than you &ould %robably do !f you &ere brought !nto %ersonal contact &!th these th!ngs. :our ad !ce' then' as , understand !t' !s that the young )an &!ll be as safe !n De onsh!re as !n ?ondon. He co)es !n f!fty )!nutes. *hat &ould you reco))endRL L, reco))end' s!r' that you take a cab' call off your s%an!el &ho !s scratch!ng at )y front door' and %roceed to *aterloo to )eet 0!r Henry Basker !lle.L LAnd thenRL LAnd then you &!ll say noth!ng to h!) at all unt!l , ha e )ade u% )y )!nd about the )atter.L LHo& long &!ll !t take you to )ake u% your )!ndRL LT&entyDfour hours. At ten o'clock to)orro&' Dr. >ort!)er' , &!ll be )uch obl!ged to you !f you &!ll call u%on )e here' and !t &!ll be of hel% to )e !n )y %lans for the future !f you &!ll

br!ng 0!r Henry Basker !lle &!th you.L L, &!ll do so' >r. Hol)es.L He scr!bbled the a%%o!nt)ent on h!s sh!rtDcuff and hurr!ed off !n h!s strange' %eer!ng' absentD)!nded fash!on. Hol)es sto%%ed h!) at the head of the sta!r. L5nly one )ore Tuest!on' Dr. >ort!)er. :ou say that before 0!r Charles Basker !lle's death se eral %eo%le sa& th!s a%%ar!t!on u%on the )oorRL LThree %eo%le d!d.L LD!d any see !t afterRL L, ha e not heard of any.L LThank you. GoodD)orn!ng.L Hol)es returned to h!s seat &!th that Tu!et look of !n&ard sat!sfact!on &h!ch )eant that he had a congen!al task before h!). LGo!ng out' *atsonRL L=nless , can hel% you.L L<o' )y dear fello&' !t !s at the hour of act!on that , turn to you for a!d. But th!s !s s%lend!d' really un!Tue fro) so)e %o!nts of !e&. *hen you %ass Bradley's' &ould you ask h!) to send u% a %ound of the strongest shag tobaccoR Thank you. ,t &ould be as &ell !f you could )ake !t con en!ent not to return before e en!ng. Then , should be ery glad to co)%are !)%ress!ons as to th!s )ost !nterest!ng %roble) &h!ch has been sub)!tted to us th!s )orn!ng.L , kne& that seclus!on and sol!tude &ere ery necessary for )y fr!end !n those hours of !ntense )ental concentrat!on dur!ng &h!ch he &e!ghed e ery %art!cle of e !dence' constructed alternat! e theor!es' balanced one aga!nst the other' and )ade u% h!s )!nd as to &h!ch %o!nts &ere essent!al and &h!ch !))ater!al. , therefore s%ent the day at )y club and d!d not return to Baker 0treet unt!l e en!ng. ,t &as nearly n!ne o'clock &hen , found )yself !n the s!tt!ngDroo) once )ore. >y f!rst !)%ress!on as , o%ened the door &as that a f!re had broken out' for the roo) &as so f!lled &!th s)oke that the l!ght of the la)% u%on the table &as blurred by !t. As , entered' ho&e er' )y fears &ere set at rest' for !t &as the acr!d fu)es of strong coarse tobacco &h!ch took )e by the throat and set )e cough!ng. Through the ha;e , had a ague !s!on of Hol)es !n h!s dress!ngDgo&n co!led u% !n an ar)cha!r &!th h!s black clay %!%e bet&een h!s l!%s. 0e eral rolls of %a%er lay around h!). LCaught cold' *atsonRL sa!d he. L<o' !t's th!s %o!sonous at)os%here.L L, su%%ose !t !s %retty th!ck' no& that you )ent!on !t.L LTh!ck( ,t !s !ntolerable.L

 L5%en the &!ndo&' then( :ou ha e been at your club all day' , %erce! e.L L>y dear Hol)es(L LA) , r!ghtRL LCerta!nly' but ho&RL He laughed at )y be&!ldered ex%ress!on. LThere !s a del!ghtful freshness about you' *atson' &h!ch )akes !t a %leasure to exerc!se any s)all %o&ers &h!ch , %ossess at your ex%ense. A gentle)an goes forth on a sho&ery and )!ry day. He returns !))aculate !n the e en!ng &!th the gloss st!ll on h!s hat and h!s boots. He has been a f!xture therefore all day. He !s not a )an &!th !nt!)ate fr!ends. *here' then' could he ha e beenR ,s !t not ob !ousRL L*ell' !t !s rather ob !ous.L LThe &orld !s full of ob !ous th!ngs &h!ch nobody by any chance e er obser es. *here do you th!nk that , ha e beenRL LA f!xture also.L L5n the contrary' , ha e been to De onsh!re.L L,n s%!r!tRL LExactly. >y body has re)a!ned !n th!s ar)cha!r and has' , regret to obser e' consu)ed !n )y absence t&o large %ots of coffee and an !ncred!ble a)ount of tobacco. After you left , sent do&n to 0ta)ford's for the 5rdnance )a% of th!s %ort!on of the )oor' and )y s%!r!t has ho ered o er !t all day. , flatter )yself that , could f!nd )y &ay about.L LA largeDscale )a%' , %resu)eRL L.ery large.L He unrolled one sect!on and held !t o er h!s knee. LHere you ha e the %art!cular d!str!ct &h!ch concerns us. That !s Basker !lle Hall !n the )!ddle.L L*!th a &ood round !tRL LExactly. , fancy the ye& alley' though not )arked under that na)e' )ust stretch along th!s l!ne' &!th the )oor' as you %erce! e' u%on the r!ght of !t. Th!s s)all clu)% of bu!ld!ngs here !s the ha)let of Gr!)%en' &here our fr!end Dr. >ort!)er has h!s headTuarters. *!th!n a rad!us of f! e )!les there are' as you see' only a ery fe& scattered d&ell!ngs. Here !s ?after Hall' &h!ch &as )ent!oned !n the narrat! e. There !s a house !nd!cated here &h!ch )ay be the res!dence of the natural!stDD0ta%leton' !f , re)e)ber r!ght' &as h!s na)e. Here are t&o )oorland far)houses' H!gh Tor and -oul)!re. Then fourteen )!les a&ay the great con !ct %r!son of Pr!nceto&n. Bet&een and around these scattered %o!nts extends the desolate' l!feless )oor. Th!s' then' !s the stage u%on &h!ch tragedy has been %layed' and u%on &h!ch &e )ay hel% to %lay !t aga!n.L

 L,t )ust be a &!ld %lace.L L:es' the sett!ng !s a &orthy one. ,f the de !l d!d des!re to ha e a hand !n the affa!rs of )enDDL LThen you are yourself !ncl!n!ng to the su%ernatural ex%lanat!on.L LThe de !l's agents )ay be of flesh and blood' )ay they notR There are t&o Tuest!ons &a!t!ng for us at the outset. The one !s &hether any cr!)e has been co))!tted at allK the second !s' &hat !s the cr!)e and ho& &as !t co))!ttedR 5f course' !f Dr. >ort!)er's sur)!se should be correct' and &e are deal!ng &!th forces outs!de the ord!nary la&s of <ature' there !s an end of our !n est!gat!on. But &e are bound to exhaust all other hy%otheses before fall!ng back u%on th!s one. , th!nk &e'll shut that &!ndo& aga!n' !f you don't )!nd. ,t !s a s!ngular th!ng' but , f!nd that a concentrated at)os%here hel%s a concentrat!on of thought. , ha e not %ushed !t to the length of gett!ng !nto a box to th!nk' but that !s the log!cal outco)e of )y con !ct!ons. Ha e you turned the case o er !n your )!ndRL L:es' , ha e thought a good deal of !t !n the course of the day.L L*hat do you )ake of !tRL L,t !s ery be&!lder!ng.L L,t has certa!nly a character of !ts o&n. There are %o!nts of d!st!nct!on about !t. That change !n the foot%r!nts' for exa)%le. *hat do you )ake of thatRL L>ort!)er sa!d that the )an had &alked on t!%toe do&n that %ort!on of the alley.L LHe only re%eated &hat so)e fool had sa!d at the !nTuest. *hy should a )an &alk on t!%toe do&n the alleyRL L*hat thenRL LHe &as runn!ng' *atsonDDrunn!ng des%erately' runn!ng for h!s l!fe' runn!ng unt!l he burst h!s heartDDand fell dead u%on h!s face.L L/unn!ng fro) &hatRL LThere l!es our %roble). There are !nd!cat!ons that the )an &as cra;ed &!th fear before e er he began to run.L LHo& can you say thatRL L, a) %resu)!ng that the cause of h!s fears ca)e to h!) across the )oor. ,f that &ere so' and !t see)s )ost %robable' only a )an &ho had lost h!s &!ts &ould ha e run fro) the house !nstead of to&ards !t. ,f the g!%sy's e !dence )ay be taken as true' he ran &!th cr!es for hel% !n the d!rect!on &here hel% &as least l!kely to be. Then' aga!n' &ho) &as he &a!t!ng for that n!ght' and &hy &as he &a!t!ng for h!) !n the ye& alley rather than !n h!s o&n houseRL

L:ou th!nk that he &as &a!t!ng for so)eoneRL LThe )an &as elderly and !nf!r). *e can understand h!s tak!ng an e en!ng stroll' but the ground &as da)% and the n!ght !ncle)ent. ,s !t natural that he should stand for f! e or ten )!nutes' as Dr. >ort!)er' &!th )ore %ract!cal sense than , should ha e g! en h!) cred!t for' deduced fro) the c!gar ashRL LBut he &ent out e ery e en!ng.L L, th!nk !t unl!kely that he &a!ted at the )oorDgate e ery e en!ng. 5n the contrary' the e !dence !s that he a o!ded the )oor. That n!ght he &a!ted there. ,t &as the n!ght before he )ade h!s de%arture for ?ondon. The th!ng takes sha%e' *atson. ,t beco)es coherent. >!ght , ask you to hand )e )y !ol!n' and &e &!ll %ost%one all further thought u%on th!s bus!ness unt!l &e ha e had the ad antage of )eet!ng Dr. >ort!)er and 0!r Henry Basker !lle !n the )orn!ng.L Cha%ter E 0!r Henry Basker !lle 5ur breakfast table &as cleared early' and Hol)es &a!ted !n h!s dress!ngDgo&n for the %ro)!sed !nter !e&. 5ur cl!ents &ere %unctual to the!r a%%o!nt)ent' for the clock had just struck ten &hen Dr. >ort!)er &as sho&n u%' follo&ed by the young baronet. The latter &as a s)all' alert' darkDeyed )an about th!rty years of age' ery sturd!ly bu!lt' &!th th!ck black eyebro&s and a strong' %ugnac!ous face. He &ore a ruddyDt!nted t&eed su!t and had the &eatherDbeaten a%%earance of one &ho has s%ent )ost of h!s t!)e !n the o%en a!r' and yet there &as so)eth!ng !n h!s steady eye and the Tu!et assurance of h!s bear!ng &h!ch !nd!cated the gentle)an. LTh!s !s 0!r Henry Basker !lle'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er. L*hy' yes'L sa!d he' Land the strange th!ng !s' >r. 0herlock Hol)es' that !f )y fr!end here had not %ro%osed co)!ng round to you th!s )orn!ng , should ha e co)e on )y o&n account. , understand that you th!nk out l!ttle %u;;les' and ,' e had one th!s )orn!ng &h!ch &ants )ore th!nk!ng out than , a) able to g! e !t.L LPray take a seat' 0!r Henry. Do , understand you to say that you ha e yourself had so)e re)arkable ex%er!ence s!nce you arr! ed !n ?ondonRL L<oth!ng of )uch !)%ortance' >r. Hol)es. 5nly a joke' as l!ke as not. ,t &as th!s letter' !f you can call !t a letter' &h!ch reached )e th!s )orn!ng.L He la!d an en elo%e u%on the table' and &e all bent o er !t. ,t &as of co))on Tual!ty' gray!sh !n colour. The address' L0!r Henry Basker !lle' <orthu)berland Hotel'L &as %r!nted !n rough charactersK the %ostD)ark LChar!ng Cross'L and the date of

%ost!ng the %reced!ng e en!ng. L*ho kne& that you &ere go!ng to the <orthu)berland HotelRL asked Hol)es' glanc!ng keenly across at our !s!tor. L<o one could ha e kno&n. *e only dec!ded after , )et Dr. >ort!)er.L LBut Dr. >ort!)er &as no doubt already sto%%!ng thereRL L<o' , had been stay!ng &!th a fr!end'L sa!d the doctor. LThere &as no %oss!ble !nd!cat!on that &e !ntended to go to th!s hotel.L LHu)( 0o)eone see)s to be ery dee%ly !nterested !n your )o e)ents.L 5ut of the en elo%e he took a halfDsheet of foolsca% %a%er folded !nto four. Th!s he o%ened and s%read flat u%on the table. Across the )!ddle of !t a s!ngle sentence had been for)ed by the ex%ed!ent of %ast!ng %r!nted &ords u%on !t. ,t ran4 As you alue your l!fe or your reason kee% a&ay fro) the )oor. The &ord L)oorL only &as %r!nted !n !nk. L<o&'L sa!d 0!r Henry Basker !lle' L%erha%s you &!ll tell )e' >r. Hol)es' &hat !n thunder !s the )ean!ng of that' and &ho !t !s that takes so )uch !nterest !n )y affa!rsRL L*hat do you )ake of !t' Dr. >ort!)erR :ou )ust allo& that there !s noth!ng su%ernatural about th!s' at any rateRL L<o' s!r' but !t )!ght ery &ell co)e fro) so)eone &ho &as con !nced that the bus!ness !s su%ernatural.L L*hat bus!nessRL asked 0!r Henry shar%ly. L,t see)s to )e that all you gentle)en kno& a great deal )ore than , do about )y o&n affa!rs.L L:ou shall share our kno&ledge before you lea e th!s roo)' 0!r Henry. , %ro)!se you that'L sa!d 0herlock Hol)es. L*e &!ll conf!ne oursel es for the %resent &!th your %er)!ss!on to th!s ery !nterest!ng docu)ent' &h!ch )ust ha e been %ut together and %osted yesterday e en!ng. Ha e you yesterday's T!)es' *atsonRL L,t !s here !n the corner.L L>!ght , trouble you for !tDDthe !ns!de %age' %lease' &!th the lead!ng art!clesRL He glanced s&!ftly o er !t' runn!ng h!s eyes u% and do&n the colu)ns. LCa%!tal art!cle th!s on free trade. Per)!t )e to g! e you an extract fro) !t. ':ou )ay be cajoled !nto !)ag!n!ng that your o&n s%ec!al trade or your o&n !ndustry &!ll be encouraged by a %rotect! e tar!ff' but !t stands to reason that such leg!slat!on )ust !n the long run kee% a&ay &ealth fro) the country' d!)!n!sh the alue of our !)%orts' and lo&er the general cond!t!ons of l!fe !n th!s !sland.' L*hat do you th!nk of that' *atsonRL cr!ed Hol)es !n h!gh glee' rubb!ng h!s hands together &!th sat!sfact!on. LDon't you th!nk

that !s an ad)!rable sent!)entRL Dr. >ort!)er looked at Hol)es &!th an a!r of %rofess!onal !nterest' and 0!r Henry Basker !lle turned a %a!r of %u;;led dark eyes u%on )e. L, don't kno& )uch about the tar!ff and th!ngs of that k!nd'L sa!d he' Lbut !t see)s to )e &e' e got a b!t off the tra!l so far as that note !s concerned.L L5n the contrary' , th!nk &e are %art!cularly hot u%on the tra!l' 0!r Henry. *atson here kno&s )ore about )y )ethods than you do' but , fear that e en he has not Tu!te gras%ed the s!gn!f!cance of th!s sentence.L L<o' , confess that , see no connect!on.L LAnd yet' )y dear *atson' there !s so ery close a connect!on that the one !s extracted out of the other. ':ou'' 'your'' 'your'' 'l!fe'' 'reason'' ' alue'' 'kee% a&ay'' 'fro) the.' Don't you see no& &hence these &ords ha e been takenRL LBy thunder' you're r!ght( *ell' !f that !sn't s)art(L cr!ed 0!r Henry. L,f any %oss!ble doubt re)a!ned !t !s settled by the fact that 'kee% a&ay' and 'fro) the' are cut out !n one %!ece.L L*ell' no&DDso !t !s(L L/eally' >r. Hol)es' th!s exceeds anyth!ng &h!ch , could ha e !)ag!ned'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er' ga;!ng at )y fr!end !n a)a;e)ent. L, could understand anyone say!ng that the &ords &ere fro) a ne&s%a%erK but that you should na)e &h!ch' and add that !t ca)e fro) the lead!ng art!cle' !s really one of the )ost re)arkable th!ngs &h!ch , ha e e er kno&n. Ho& d!d you do !tRL L, %resu)e' Doctor' that you could tell the skull of a negro fro) that of an EsTu!)auRL L>ost certa!nly.L LBut ho&RL LBecause that !s )y s%ec!al hobby. The d!fferences are ob !ous. The su%raDorb!tal crest' the fac!al angle' the )ax!llary cur e' theDDL LBut th!s !s )y s%ec!al hobby' and the d!fferences are eTually ob !ous. There !s as )uch d!fference to )y eyes bet&een the leaded bourgeo!s ty%e of a T!)es art!cle and the slo enly %r!nt of an e en!ng halfD%enny %a%er as there could be bet&een your negro and your EsTu!)au. The detect!on of ty%es !s one of the )ost ele)entary branches of kno&ledge to the s%ec!al ex%ert !n cr!)e' though , confess that once &hen , &as ery young , confused the ?eeds >ercury &!th the *estern >orn!ng <e&s. But a T!)es leader !s ent!rely d!st!nct! e' and these &ords could ha e been taken fro) noth!ng else. As !t &as done yesterday the strong %robab!l!ty &as that &e should f!nd the &ords !n yesterday's !ssue.L

L0o far as , can follo& you' then' >r. Hol)es'L sa!d 0!r Henry Basker !lle' Lso)eone cut out th!s )essage &!th a sc!ssorsDDL L<a!lDsc!ssors'L sa!d Hol)es. L:ou can see that !t &as a ery shortDbladed sc!ssors' s!nce the cutter had to take t&o sn!%s o er 'kee% a&ay.'L LThat !s so. 0o)eone' then' cut out the )essage &!th a %a!r of shortDbladed sc!ssors' %asted !t &!th %asteDDL LGu)'L sa!d Hol)es. L*!th gu) on to the %a%er. But , &ant to kno& &hy the &ord ')oor' should ha e been &r!ttenRL LBecause he could not f!nd !t !n %r!nt. The other &ords &ere all s!)%le and )!ght be found !n any !ssue' but ')oor' &ould be less co))on.L L*hy' of course' that &ould ex%la!n !t. Ha e you read anyth!ng else !n th!s )essage' >r. Hol)esRL LThere are one or t&o !nd!cat!ons' and yet the ut)ost %a!ns ha e been taken to re)o e all clues. The address' you obser e !s %r!nted !n rough characters. But the T!)es !s a %a%er &h!ch !s seldo) found !n any hands but those of the h!ghly educated. *e )ay take !t' therefore' that the letter &as co)%osed by an educated )an &ho &!shed to %ose as an uneducated one' and h!s effort to conceal h!s o&n &r!t!ng suggests that that &r!t!ng )!ght be kno&n' or co)e to be kno&n' by you. Aga!n' you &!ll obser e that the &ords are not gu))ed on !n an accurate l!ne' but that so)e are )uch h!gher than others. '?!fe'' for exa)%le !s Tu!te out of !ts %ro%er %lace. That )ay %o!nt to carelessness or !t )ay %o!nt to ag!tat!on and hurry u%on the %art of the cutter. 5n the &hole , !ncl!ne to the latter !e&' s!nce the )atter &as e !dently !)%ortant' and !t !s unl!kely that the co)%oser of such a letter &ould be careless. ,f he &ere !n a hurry !t o%ens u% the !nterest!ng Tuest!on &hy he should be !n a hurry' s!nce any letter %osted u% to early )orn!ng &ould reach 0!r Henry before he &ould lea e h!s hotel. D!d the co)%oser fear an !nterru%t!onDDand fro) &ho)RL L*e are co)!ng no& rather !nto the reg!on of guess&ork'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er. L0ay' rather' !nto the reg!on &here &e balance %robab!l!t!es and choose the )ost l!kely. ,t !s the sc!ent!f!c use of the !)ag!nat!on' but &e ha e al&ays so)e )ater!al bas!s on &h!ch to start our s%eculat!on. <o&' you &ould call !t a guess' no doubt' but , a) al)ost certa!n that th!s address has been &r!tten !n a hotel.L LHo& !n the &orld can you say thatRL L,f you exa)!ne !t carefully you &!ll see that both the %en and the !nk ha e g! en the &r!ter trouble. The %en has s%luttered t&!ce !n a s!ngle &ord and has run dry three t!)es !n a short address' sho&!ng that there &as ery l!ttle !nk !n the bottle. <o&' a %r! ate %en or !nkDbottle !s seldo) allo&ed to be !n such a state' and the co)b!nat!on of the t&o )ust be Tu!te rare. But

you kno& the hotel !nk and the hotel %en' &here !t !s rare to get anyth!ng else. :es' , ha e ery l!ttle hes!tat!on !n say!ng that could &e exa)!ne the &asteD%a%er baskets of the hotels around Char!ng Cross unt!l &e found the re)a!ns of the )ut!lated T!)es leader &e could lay our hands stra!ght u%on the %erson &ho sent th!s s!ngular )essage. Halloa( Halloa( *hat's th!sRL He &as carefully exa)!n!ng the foolsca%' u%on &h!ch the &ords &ere %asted' hold!ng !t only an !nch or t&o fro) h!s eyes. L*ellRL L<oth!ng'L sa!d he' thro&!ng !t do&n. L,t !s a blank halfDsheet of %a%er' &!thout e en a &aterD)ark u%on !t. , th!nk &e ha e dra&n as )uch as &e can fro) th!s cur!ous letterK and no&' 0!r Henry' has anyth!ng else of !nterest ha%%ened to you s!nce you ha e been !n ?ondonRL L*hy' no' >r. Hol)es. , th!nk not.L L:ou ha e not obser ed anyone follo& or &atch youRL L, see) to ha e &alked r!ght !nto the th!ck of a d!)e no el'L sa!d our !s!tor. L*hy !n thunder should anyone follo& or &atch )eRL L*e are co)!ng to that. :ou ha e noth!ng else to re%ort to us before &e go !nto th!s )atterRL L*ell' !t de%ends u%on &hat you th!nk &orth re%ort!ng.L L, th!nk anyth!ng out of the ord!nary rout!ne of l!fe &ell &orth re%ort!ng.L 0!r Henry s)!led. L, don't kno& )uch of Br!t!sh l!fe yet' for , ha e s%ent nearly all )y t!)e !n the 0tates and !n Canada. But , ho%e that to lose one of your boots !s not %art of the ord!nary rout!ne of l!fe o er here.L L:ou ha e lost one of your bootsRL L>y dear s!r'L cr!ed Dr. >ort!)er' L!t !s only )!sla!d. :ou &!ll f!nd !t &hen you return to the hotel. *hat !s the use of troubl!ng >r. Hol)es &!th tr!fles of th!s k!ndRL L*ell' he asked )e for anyth!ng outs!de the ord!nary rout!ne.L LExactly'L sa!d Hol)es' Lho&e er fool!sh the !nc!dent )ay see). :ou ha e lost one of your boots' you sayRL L*ell' )!sla!d !t' anyho&. , %ut the) both outs!de )y door last n!ght' and there &as only one !n the )orn!ng. , could get no sense out of the cha% &ho cleans the). The &orst of !t !s that , only bought the %a!r last n!ght !n the 0trand' and , ha e ne er had the) on.L L,f you ha e ne er &orn the)' &hy d!d you %ut the) out to be cleanedRL

LThey &ere tan boots and had ne er been arn!shed. That &as &hy , %ut the) out.L LThen , understand that on your arr! al !n ?ondon yesterday you &ent out at once and bought a %a!r of bootsRL L, d!d a good deal of sho%%!ng. Dr. >ort!)er here &ent round &!th )e. :ou see' !f , a) to be sTu!re do&n there , )ust dress the %art' and !t )ay be that , ha e got a l!ttle careless !n )y &ays out *est. A)ong other th!ngs , bought these bro&n bootsDD ga e s!x dollars for the)DDand had one stolen before e er , had the) on )y feet.L L,t see)s a s!ngularly useless th!ng to steal'L sa!d 0herlock Hol)es. L, confess that , share Dr. >ort!)er's bel!ef that !t &!ll not be long before the )!ss!ng boot !s found.L LAnd' no&' gentle)en'L sa!d the baronet &!th dec!s!on' L!t see)s to )e that , ha e s%oken Tu!te enough about the l!ttle that , kno&. ,t !s t!)e that you ke%t your %ro)!se and ga e )e a full account of &hat &e are all dr! !ng at.L L:our reTuest !s a ery reasonable one'L Hol)es ans&ered. LDr. >ort!)er' , th!nk you could not do better than to tell your story as you told !t to us.L Thus encouraged' our sc!ent!f!c fr!end dre& h!s %a%ers fro) h!s %ocket and %resented the &hole case as he had done u%on the )orn!ng before. 0!r Henry Basker !lle l!stened &!th the dee%est attent!on and &!th an occas!onal excla)at!on of sur%r!se. L*ell' , see) to ha e co)e !nto an !nher!tance &!th a engeance'L sa!d he &hen the long narrat! e &as f!n!shed. L5f course' ,' e heard of the hound e er s!nce , &as !n the nursery. ,t's the %et story of the fa)!ly' though , ne er thought of tak!ng !t ser!ously before. But as to )y uncle's deathDD&ell' !t all see)s bo!l!ng u% !n )y head' and , can't get !t clear yet. :ou don't see) Tu!te to ha e )ade u% your )!nd &hether !t's a case for a %ol!ce)an or a clergy)an.L LPrec!sely.L LAnd no& there's th!s affa!r of the letter to )e at the hotel. , su%%ose that f!ts !nto !ts %lace.L L,t see)s to sho& that so)eone kno&s )ore than &e do about &hat goes on u%on the )oor'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er. LAnd also'L sa!d Hol)es' Lthat so)eone !s not !llDd!s%osed to&ards you' s!nce they &arn you of danger.L L5r !t )ay be that they &!sh' for the!r o&n %ur%oses' to scare )e a&ay.L L*ell' of course' that !s %oss!ble also. , a) ery )uch !ndebted to you' Dr. >ort!)er' for !ntroduc!ng )e to a %roble) &h!ch %resents se eral !nterest!ng alternat! es. But the %ract!cal %o!nt &h!ch &e no& ha e to dec!de' 0!r Henry' !s &hether !t !s or !s not ad !sable for you to go to Basker !lle Hall.L

 L*hy should , not goRL LThere see)s to be danger.L LDo you )ean danger fro) th!s fa)!ly f!end or do you )ean danger fro) hu)an be!ngsRL L*ell' that !s &hat &e ha e to f!nd out.L L*h!che er !t !s' )y ans&er !s f!xed. There !s no de !l !n hell' >r. Hol)es' and there !s no )an u%on earth &ho can %re ent )e fro) go!ng to the ho)e of )y o&n %eo%le' and you )ay take that to be )y f!nal ans&er.L H!s dark bro&s kn!tted and h!s face flushed to a dusky red as he s%oke. ,t &as e !dent that the f!ery te)%er of the Basker !lles &as not ext!nct !n th!s the!r last re%resentat! e. L>ean&h!le'L sa!d he' L, ha e hardly had t!)e to th!nk o er all that you ha e told )e. ,t's a b!g th!ng for a )an to ha e to understand and to dec!de at one s!tt!ng. , should l!ke to ha e a Tu!et hour by )yself to )ake u% )y )!nd. <o&' look here' >r. Hol)es' !t's halfD%ast ele en no& and , a) go!ng back r!ght a&ay to )y hotel. 0u%%ose you and your fr!end' Dr. *atson' co)e round and lunch &!th us at t&o. ,'ll be able to tell you )ore clearly then ho& th!s th!ng str!kes )e.L L,s that con en!ent to you' *atsonRL LPerfectly.L LThen you )ay ex%ect us. 0hall , ha e a cab calledRL L,'d %refer to &alk' for th!s affa!r has flurr!ed )e rather.L L,'ll jo!n you !n a &alk' &!th %leasure'L sa!d h!s co)%an!on. LThen &e )eet aga!n at t&o o'clock. Au re o!r' and goodD)orn!ng(L *e heard the ste%s of our !s!tors descend the sta!r and the bang of the front door. ,n an !nstant Hol)es had changed fro) the langu!d drea)er to the )an of act!on. L:our hat and boots' *atson' Tu!ck( <ot a )o)ent to lose(L He rushed !nto h!s roo) !n h!s dress!ngDgo&n and &as back aga!n !n a fe& seconds !n a frockDcoat. *e hurr!ed together do&n the sta!rs and !nto the street. Dr. >ort!)er and Basker !lle &ere st!ll !s!ble about t&o hundred yards ahead of us !n the d!rect!on of 5xford 0treet. L0hall , run on and sto% the)RL L<ot for the &orld' )y dear *atson. , a) %erfectly sat!sf!ed &!th your co)%any !f you &!ll tolerate )!ne. 5ur fr!ends are &!se' for !t !s certa!nly a ery f!ne )orn!ng for a &alk.L He Tu!ckened h!s %ace unt!l &e had decreased the d!stance &h!ch d! !ded us by about half. Then' st!ll kee%!ng a hundred yards beh!nd' &e follo&ed !nto 5xford 0treet and so do&n /egent 0treet. 5nce our fr!ends sto%%ed and stared !nto a sho% &!ndo&' u%on &h!ch Hol)es d!d the sa)e. An !nstant after&ards he ga e a l!ttle

cry of sat!sfact!on' and' follo&!ng the d!rect!on of h!s eager eyes' , sa& that a hanso) cab &!th a )an !ns!de &h!ch had halted on the other s!de of the street &as no& %roceed!ng slo&ly on&ard aga!n. LThere's our )an' *atson( Co)e along( *e'll ha e a good look at h!)' !f &e can do no )ore.L At that !nstant , &as a&are of a bushy black beard and a %a!r of %!erc!ng eyes turned u%on us through the s!de &!ndo& of the cab. ,nstantly the tra%door at the to% fle& u%' so)eth!ng &as screa)ed to the dr! er' and the cab fle& )adly off do&n /egent 0treet. Hol)es looked eagerly round for another' but no e)%ty one &as !n s!ght. Then he dashed !n &!ld %ursu!t a)!d the strea) of the traff!c' but the start &as too great' and already the cab &as out of s!ght. LThere no&(L sa!d Hol)es b!tterly as he e)erged %ant!ng and &h!te &!th exat!on fro) the t!de of eh!cles. L*as e er such bad luck and such bad )anage)ent' tooR *atson' *atson' !f you are an honest )an you &!ll record th!s also and set !t aga!nst )y successes(L L*ho &as the )anRL L, ha e not an !dea.L LA s%yRL L*ell' !t &as e !dent fro) &hat &e ha e heard that Basker !lle has been ery closely shado&ed by so)eone s!nce he has been !n to&n. Ho& else could !t be kno&n so Tu!ckly that !t &as the <orthu)berland Hotel &h!ch he had chosenR ,f they had follo&ed h!) the f!rst day , argued that they &ould follo& h!) also the second. :ou )ay ha e obser ed that , t&!ce strolled o er to the &!ndo& &h!le Dr. >ort!)er &as read!ng h!s legend.L L:es' , re)e)ber.L L, &as look!ng out for lo!terers !n the street' but , sa& none. *e are deal!ng &!th a cle er )an' *atson. Th!s )atter cuts ery dee%' and though , ha e not f!nally )ade u% )y )!nd &hether !t !s a bene olent or a )ale olent agency &h!ch !s !n touch &!th us' , a) consc!ous al&ays of %o&er and des!gn. *hen our fr!ends left , at once follo&ed the) !n the ho%es of )ark!ng do&n the!r !n !s!ble attendant. 0o &!ly &as he that he had not trusted h!)self u%on foot' but he had a a!led h!)self of a cab so that he could lo!ter beh!nd or dash %ast the) and so esca%e the!r not!ce. H!s )ethod had the add!t!onal ad antage that !f they &ere to take a cab he &as all ready to follo& the). ,t has' ho&e er' one ob !ous d!sad antage.L L,t %uts h!) !n the %o&er of the cab)an.L LExactly.L L*hat a %!ty &e d!d not get the nu)ber(L L>y dear *atson' clu)sy as , ha e been' you surely do not ser!ously

!)ag!ne that , neglected to get the nu)berR <o. #36E !s our )an. But that !s no use to us for the )o)ent.L L, fa!l to see ho& you could ha e done )ore.L L5n obser !ng the cab , should ha e !nstantly turned and &alked !n the other d!rect!on. , should then at )y le!sure ha e h!red a second cab and follo&ed the f!rst at a res%ectful d!stance' or' better st!ll' ha e dr! en to the <orthu)berland Hotel and &a!ted there. *hen our unkno&n had follo&ed Basker !lle ho)e &e should ha e had the o%%ortun!ty of %lay!ng h!s o&n ga)e u%on h!)self and see!ng &here he )ade for. As !t !s' by an !nd!screet eagerness' &h!ch &as taken ad antage of &!th extraord!nary Tu!ckness and energy by our o%%onent' &e ha e betrayed oursel es and lost our )an.L *e had been saunter!ng slo&ly do&n /egent 0treet dur!ng th!s con ersat!on' and Dr. >ort!)er' &!th h!s co)%an!on' had long an!shed !n front of us. LThere !s no object !n our follo&!ng the)'L sa!d Hol)es. LThe shado& has de%arted and &!ll not return. *e )ust see &hat further cards &e ha e !n our hands and %lay the) &!th dec!s!on. Could you s&ear to that )an's face &!th!n the cabRL L, could s&ear only to the beard.L LAnd so could ,DDfro) &h!ch , gather that !n all %robab!l!ty !t &as a false one. A cle er )an u%on so del!cate an errand has no use for a beard sa e to conceal h!s features. Co)e !n here' *atson(L He turned !nto one of the d!str!ct )essenger off!ces' &here he &as &ar)ly greeted by the )anager. LAh' *!lson' , see you ha e not forgotten the l!ttle case !n &h!ch , had the good fortune to hel% youRL L<o' s!r' !ndeed , ha e not. :ou sa ed )y good na)e' and %erha%s )y l!fe.L L>y dear fello&' you exaggerate. , ha e so)e recollect!on' *!lson' that you had a)ong your boys a lad na)ed Cart&r!ght' &ho sho&ed so)e ab!l!ty dur!ng the !n est!gat!on.L L:es' s!r' he !s st!ll &!th us.L LCould you r!ng h!) u%R DD thank you( And , should be glad to ha e change of th!s f! eD%ound note.L A lad of fourteen' &!th a br!ght' keen face' had obeyed the su))ons of the )anager. He stood no& ga;!ng &!th great re erence at the fa)ous detect! e. L?et )e ha e the Hotel D!rectory'L sa!d Hol)es. LThank you( <o&' Cart&r!ght' there are the na)es of t&entyDthree hotels here' all !n the !))ed!ate ne!ghbourhood of Char!ng Cross. Do you seeRL L:es' s!r.L

 L:ou &!ll !s!t each of these !n turn.L L:es' s!r.L L:ou &!ll beg!n !n each case by g! !ng the outs!de %orter one sh!ll!ng. Here are t&entyDthree sh!ll!ngs.L L:es' s!r.L L:ou &!ll tell h!) that you &ant to see the &asteD%a%er of yesterday. :ou &!ll say that an !)%ortant telegra) has )!scarr!ed and that you are look!ng for !t. :ou understandRL L:es' s!r.L LBut &hat you are really look!ng for !s the centre %age of the T!)es &!th so)e holes cut !n !t &!th sc!ssors. Here !s a co%y of the T!)es. ,t !s th!s %age. :ou could eas!ly recogn!;e !t' could you notRL L:es' s!r.L L,n each case the outs!de %orter &!ll send for the hall %orter' to &ho) also you &!ll g! e a sh!ll!ng. Here are t&entyDthree sh!ll!ngs. :ou &!ll then learn !n %oss!bly t&enty cases out of the t&entyDthree that the &aste of the day before has been burned or re)o ed. ,n the three other cases you &!ll be sho&n a hea% of %a%er and you &!ll look for th!s %age of the T!)es a)ong !t. The odds are enor)ously aga!nst your f!nd!ng !t. There are ten sh!ll!ngs o er !n case of e)ergenc!es. ?et )e ha e a re%ort by &!re at Baker 0treet before e en!ng. And no&' *atson' !t only re)a!ns for us to f!nd out by &!re the !dent!ty of the cab)an' <o. #36E' and then &e &!ll dro% !nto one of the Bond 0treet %!cture galler!es and f!ll !n the t!)e unt!l &e are due at the hotel.L Cha%ter $ Three Broken Threads 0herlock Hol)es had' !n a ery re)arkable degree' the %o&er of detach!ng h!s )!nd at &!ll. -or t&o hours the strange bus!ness !n &h!ch &e had been !n ol ed a%%eared to be forgotten' and he &as ent!rely absorbed !n the %!ctures of the )odern Belg!an )asters. He &ould talk of noth!ng but art' of &h!ch he had the crudest !deas' fro) our lea !ng the gallery unt!l &e found oursel es at the <orthu)berland Hotel. L0!r Henry Basker !lle !s u%sta!rs ex%ect!ng you'L sa!d the clerk. LHe asked )e to sho& you u% at once &hen you ca)e.L LHa e you any object!on to )y look!ng at your reg!sterRL sa!d Hol)es. L<ot !n the least.L

 The book sho&ed that t&o na)es had been added after that of Basker !lle. 5ne &as Theo%h!lus Sohnson and fa)!ly' of <e&castleK the other >rs. 5ld)ore and )a!d' of H!gh ?odge' Alton. L0urely that )ust be the sa)e Sohnson &ho) , used to kno&'L sa!d Hol)es to the %orter. LA la&yer' !s he not' grayDheaded' and &alks &!th a l!)%RL L<o' s!r' th!s !s >r. Sohnson' the coalDo&ner' a ery act! e gentle)an' not older than yourself.L L0urely you are )!staken about h!s tradeRL L<o' s!r( he has used th!s hotel for )any years' and he !s ery &ell kno&n to us.L LAh' that settles !t. >rs. 5ld)ore' tooK , see) to re)e)ber the na)e. Excuse )y cur!os!ty' but often !n call!ng u%on one fr!end one f!nds another.L L0he !s an !n al!d lady' s!r. Her husband &as once )ayor of Gloucester. 0he al&ays co)es to us &hen she !s !n to&n.L LThank youK , a) afra!d , cannot cla!) her acTua!ntance. *e ha e establ!shed a )ost !)%ortant fact by these Tuest!ons' *atson'L he cont!nued !n a lo& o!ce as &e &ent u%sta!rs together. L*e kno& no& that the %eo%le &ho are so !nterested !n our fr!end ha e not settled do&n !n h!s o&n hotel. That )eans that &h!le they are' as &e ha e seen' ery anx!ous to &atch h!)' they are eTually anx!ous that he should not see the). <o&' th!s !s a )ost suggest! e fact.L L*hat does !t suggestRL L,t suggestsDDhalloa' )y dear fello&' &hat on earth !s the )atterRL As &e ca)e round the to% of the sta!rs &e had run u% aga!nst 0!r Henry Basker !lle h!)self. H!s face &as flushed &!th anger' and he held an old and dusty boot !n one of h!s hands. 0o fur!ous &as he that he &as hardly art!culate' and &hen he d!d s%eak !t &as !n a )uch broader and )ore *estern d!alect than any &h!ch &e had heard fro) h!) !n the )orn!ng. L0ee)s to )e they are %lay!ng )e for a sucker !n th!s hotel'L he cr!ed. LThey'll f!nd they' e started !n to )onkey &!th the &rong )an unless they are careful. By thunder' !f that cha% can't f!nd )y )!ss!ng boot there &!ll be trouble. , can take a joke &!th the best' >r. Hol)es' but they' e got a b!t o er the )ark th!s t!)e.L L0t!ll look!ng for your bootRL L:es' s!r' and )ean to f!nd !t.L LBut' surely' you sa!d that !t &as a ne& bro&n bootRL L0o !t &as' s!r. And no& !t's an old black one.L L*hat( you don't )ean to sayDDRL

LThat's just &hat , do )ean to say. , only had three %a!rs !n the &orldDDthe ne& bro&n' the old black' and the %atent leathers' &h!ch , a) &ear!ng. ?ast n!ght they took one of )y bro&n ones' and today they ha e sneaked one of the black. *ell' ha e you got !tR 0%eak out' )an' and don't stand star!ng(L An ag!tated Ger)an &a!ter had a%%eared u%on the scene. L<o' s!rK , ha e )ade !nTu!ry all o er the hotel' but , can hear no &ord of !t.L L*ell' e!ther that boot co)es back before sundo&n or ,'ll see the )anager and tell h!) that , go r!ght stra!ght out of th!s hotel.L L,t shall be found' s!rDD, %ro)!se you that !f you &!ll ha e a l!ttle %at!ence !t &!ll be found.L L>!nd !t !s' for !t's the last th!ng of )!ne that ,'ll lose !n th!s den of th!e es. *ell' &ell' >r. Hol)es' you'll excuse )y troubl!ng you about such a tr!fleDDL L, th!nk !t's &ell &orth troubl!ng about.L L*hy' you look ery ser!ous o er !t.L LHo& do you ex%la!n !tRL L, just don't atte)%t to ex%la!n !t. ,t see)s the ery )addest' Tueerest th!ng that e er ha%%ened to )e.L LThe Tueerest %erha%sDDL sa!d Hol)es thoughtfully. L*hat do you )ake of !t yourselfRL L*ell' , don't %rofess to understand !t yet. Th!s case of yours !s ery co)%lex' 0!r Henry. *hen taken !n conjunct!on &!th your uncle's death , a) not sure that of all the f! e hundred cases of ca%!tal !)%ortance &h!ch , ha e handled there !s one &h!ch cuts so dee%. But &e hold se eral threads !n our hands' and the odds are that one or other of the) gu!des us to the truth. *e )ay &aste t!)e !n follo&!ng the &rong one' but sooner or later &e )ust co)e u%on the r!ght.L *e had a %leasant luncheon !n &h!ch l!ttle &as sa!d of the bus!ness &h!ch had brought us together. ,t &as !n the %r! ate s!tt!ngDroo) to &h!ch &e after&ards re%a!red that Hol)es asked Basker !lle &hat &ere h!s !ntent!ons. LTo go to Basker !lle Hall.L LAnd &henRL LAt the end of the &eek.L L5n the &hole'L sa!d Hol)es' L, th!nk that your dec!s!on !s a &!se one. , ha e a)%le e !dence that you are be!ng dogged !n ?ondon' and a)!d the )!ll!ons of th!s great c!ty !t !s d!ff!cult to d!sco er &ho these %eo%le are or &hat the!r object can be. ,f the!r !ntent!ons are e !l they )!ght do you a )!sch!ef' and &e

should be %o&erless to %re ent !t. :ou d!d not kno&' Dr. >ort!)er' that you &ere follo&ed th!s )orn!ng fro) )y houseRL Dr. >ort!)er started !olently. L-ollo&ed( By &ho)RL LThat' unfortunately' !s &hat , cannot tell you. Ha e you a)ong your ne!ghbours or acTua!ntances on Dart)oor any )an &!th a black' full beardRL L<oDDor' let )e seeDD&hy' yes. Barry)ore' 0!r Charles's butler' !s a )an &!th a full' black beard.L LHa( *here !s Barry)oreRL LHe !s !n charge of the Hall.L L*e had best ascerta!n !f he !s really there' or !f by any %oss!b!l!ty he )!ght be !n ?ondon.L LHo& can you do thatRL LG! e )e a telegra%h for). ',s all ready for 0!r HenryR' That &!ll do. Address to >r. Barry)ore' Basker !lle Hall. *hat !s the nearest telegra%hDoff!ceR Gr!)%en. .ery good' &e &!ll send a second &!re to the %ost)aster' Gr!)%en4 'Telegra) to >r. Barry)ore to be del! ered !nto h!s o&n hand. ,f absent' %lease return &!re to 0!r Henry Basker !lle' <orthu)berland Hotel.' That should let us kno& before e en!ng &hether Barry)ore !s at h!s %ost !n De onsh!re or not.L LThat's so'L sa!d Basker !lle. LBy the &ay' Dr. >ort!)er' &ho !s th!s Barry)ore' anyho&RL LHe !s the son of the old caretaker' &ho !s dead. They ha e looked after the Hall for four generat!ons no&. 0o far as , kno&' he and h!s &!fe are as res%ectable a cou%le as any !n the county.L LAt the sa)e t!)e'L sa!d Basker !lle' L!t's clear enough that so long as there are none of the fa)!ly at the Hall these %eo%le ha e a )!ghty f!ne ho)e and noth!ng to do.L LThat !s true.L LD!d Barry)ore %rof!t at all by 0!r Charles's &!llRL asked Hol)es. LHe and h!s &!fe had f! e hundred %ounds each.L LHa( D!d they kno& that they &ould rece! e th!sRL L:esK 0!r Charles &as ery fond of talk!ng about the %ro !s!ons of h!s &!ll.L LThat !s ery !nterest!ng.L L, ho%e'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er' Lthat you do not look &!th sus%!c!ous eyes u%on e eryone &ho rece! ed a legacy fro) 0!r Charles' for , also had a thousand %ounds left to )e.L L,ndeed( And anyone elseRL

 LThere &ere )any !ns!gn!f!cant su)s to !nd! !duals' and a large nu)ber of %ubl!c char!t!es. The res!due all &ent to 0!r Henry.L LAnd ho& )uch &as the res!dueRL L0e en hundred and forty thousand %ounds.L Hol)es ra!sed h!s eyebro&s !n sur%r!se. L, had no !dea that so g!gant!c a su) &as !n ol ed'L sa!d he. L0!r Charles had the re%utat!on of be!ng r!ch' but &e d!d not kno& ho& ery r!ch he &as unt!l &e ca)e to exa)!ne h!s secur!t!es. The total alue of the estate &as close on to a )!ll!on.L LDear )e( ,t !s a stake for &h!ch a )an )!ght &ell %lay a des%erate ga)e. And one )ore Tuest!on' Dr. >ort!)er. 0u%%os!ng that anyth!ng ha%%ened to our young fr!end hereDDyou &!ll forg! e the un%leasant hy%othes!s(DD&ho &ould !nher!t the estateRL L0!nce /odger Basker !lle' 0!r Charles's younger brother d!ed un)arr!ed' the estate &ould descend to the Des)onds' &ho are d!stant cous!ns. Sa)es Des)ond !s an elderly clergy)an !n *est)oreland.L LThank you. These deta!ls are all of great !nterest. Ha e you )et >r. Sa)es Des)ondRL L:esK he once ca)e do&n to !s!t 0!r Charles. He !s a )an of enerable a%%earance and of sa!ntly l!fe. , re)e)ber that he refused to acce%t any settle)ent fro) 0!r Charles' though he %ressed !t u%on h!).L LAnd th!s )an of s!)%le tastes &ould be the he!r to 0!r Charles's thousands.L LHe &ould be the he!r to the estate because that !s enta!led. He &ould also be the he!r to the )oney unless !t &ere &!lled other&!se by the %resent o&ner' &ho can' of course' do &hat he l!kes &!th !t.L LAnd ha e you )ade your &!ll' 0!r HenryRL L<o' >r. Hol)es' , ha e not. ,' e had no t!)e' for !t &as only yesterday that , learned ho& )atters stood. But !n any case , feel that the )oney should go &!th the t!tle and estate. That &as )y %oor uncle's !dea. Ho& !s the o&ner go!ng to restore the glor!es of the Basker !lles !f he has not )oney enough to kee% u% the %ro%ertyR House' land' and dollars )ust go together.L LUu!te so. *ell' 0!r Henry' , a) of one )!nd &!th you as to the ad !sab!l!ty of your go!ng do&n to De onsh!re &!thout delay. There !s only one %ro !s!on &h!ch , )ust )ake. :ou certa!nly )ust not go alone.L LDr. >ort!)er returns &!th )e.L LBut Dr. >ort!)er has h!s %ract!ce to attend to' and h!s house !s )!les a&ay fro) yours. *!th all the good&!ll !n the &orld he

)ay be unable to hel% you. <o' 0!r Henry' you )ust take &!th you so)eone' a trusty )an' &ho &!ll be al&ays by your s!de.L L,s !t %oss!ble that you could co)e yourself' >r. Hol)esRL L,f )atters ca)e to a cr!s!s , should endea our to be %resent !n %ersonK but you can understand that' &!th )y extens! e consult!ng %ract!ce and &!th the constant a%%eals &h!ch reach )e fro) )any Tuarters' !t !s !)%oss!ble for )e to be absent fro) ?ondon for an !ndef!n!te t!)e. At the %resent !nstant one of the )ost re ered na)es !n England !s be!ng bes)!rched by a black)a!ler' and only , can sto% a d!sastrous scandal. :ou &!ll see ho& !)%oss!ble !t !s for )e to go to Dart)oor.L L*ho) &ould you reco))end' thenRL Hol)es la!d h!s hand u%on )y ar). L,f )y fr!end &ould undertake !t there !s no )an &ho !s better &orth ha !ng at your s!de &hen you are !n a t!ght %lace. <o one can say so )ore conf!dently than ,.L The %ro%os!t!on took )e co)%letely by sur%r!se' but before , had t!)e to ans&er' Basker !lle se!;ed )e by the hand and &rung !t heart!ly. L*ell' no&' that !s real k!nd of you' Dr. *atson'L sa!d he. L:ou see ho& !t !s &!th )e' and you kno& just as )uch about the )atter as , do. ,f you &!ll co)e do&n to Basker !lle Hall and see )e through ,'ll ne er forget !t.L The %ro)!se of ad enture had al&ays a fasc!nat!on for )e' and , &as co)%l!)ented by the &ords of Hol)es and by the eagerness &!th &h!ch the baronet ha!led )e as a co)%an!on. L, &!ll co)e' &!th %leasure'L sa!d ,. L, do not kno& ho& , could e)%loy )y t!)e better.L LAnd you &!ll re%ort ery carefully to )e'L sa!d Hol)es. L*hen a cr!s!s co)es' as !t &!ll do' , &!ll d!rect ho& you shall act. , su%%ose that by 0aturday all )!ght be readyRL L*ould that su!t Dr. *atsonRL LPerfectly.L LThen on 0aturday' unless you hear to the contrary' &e shall )eet at the tenDth!rty tra!n fro) Padd!ngton.L *e had r!sen to de%art &hen Basker !lle ga e a cry' of tr!u)%h' and d! !ng !nto one of the corners of the roo) he dre& a bro&n boot fro) under a cab!net. L>y )!ss!ng boot(L he cr!ed. L>ay all our d!ff!cult!es an!sh as eas!ly(L sa!d 0herlock Hol)es. LBut !t !s a ery s!ngular th!ng'L Dr. >ort!)er re)arked. L, searched th!s roo) carefully before lunch.L

LAnd so d!d ,'L sa!d Basker !lle. LE ery !nch of !t.L LThere &as certa!nly no boot !n !t then.L L,n that case the &a!ter )ust ha e %laced !t there &h!le &e &ere lunch!ng.L The Ger)an &as sent for but %rofessed to kno& noth!ng of the )atter' nor could any !nTu!ry clear !t u%. Another !te) had been added to that constant and a%%arently %ur%oseless ser!es of s)all )yster!es &h!ch had succeeded each other so ra%!dly. 0ett!ng as!de the &hole gr!) story of 0!r Charles's death' &e had a l!ne of !nex%l!cable !nc!dents all &!th!n the l!)!ts of t&o days' &h!ch !ncluded the rece!%t of the %r!nted letter' the blackDbearded s%y !n the hanso)' the loss of the ne& bro&n boot' the loss of the old black boot' and no& the return of the ne& bro&n boot. Hol)es sat !n s!lence !n the cab as &e dro e back to Baker 0treet' and , kne& fro) h!s dra&n bro&s and keen face that h!s )!nd' l!ke )y o&n' &as busy !n endea our!ng to fra)e so)e sche)e !nto &h!ch all these strange and a%%arently d!sconnected e%!sodes could be f!tted. All afternoon and late !nto the e en!ng he sat lost !n tobacco and thought. Sust before d!nner t&o telegra)s &ere handed !n. The f!rst ran4 Ha e just heard that Barry)ore !s at the Hall. BA0VE/.,??E. The second4 .!s!ted t&entyDthree hotels as d!rected' but sorry' to re%ort unable to trace cut sheet of T!)es. CA/T*/lGHT. LThere go t&o of )y threads' *atson. There !s noth!ng )ore st!)ulat!ng than a case &here e eryth!ng goes aga!nst you. *e )ust cast round for another scent.L L*e ha e st!ll the cab)an &ho dro e the s%y.L LExactly. , ha e &!red to get h!s na)e and address fro) the 5ff!c!al /eg!stry. , should not be sur%r!sed !f th!s &ere an ans&er to )y Tuest!on.L The r!ng at the bell %ro ed to be so)eth!ng e en )ore sat!sfactory than an ans&er' ho&e er' for the door o%ened and a roughDlook!ng fello& entered &ho &as e !dently the )an h!)self. L, got a )essage fro) the head off!ce that a gent at th!s address had been !nTu!r!ng for <o. #36E'L sa!d he. L,' e dr! en )y cab th!s se en years and ne er a &ord of co)%la!nt. , ca)e here stra!ght fro) the :ard to ask you to your face &hat you had aga!nst )e.L L, ha e noth!ng !n the &orld aga!nst you' )y good )an'L sa!d Hol)es. L5n the contrary' , ha e half a so ere!gn for you !f you &!ll g! e )e a clear ans&er to )y Tuest!ons.L L*ell' ,' e had a good day and no )!stake'L sa!d the cab)an &!th a gr!n. L*hat &as !t you &anted to ask' s!rRL

 L-!rst of all your na)e and address' !n case , &ant you aga!n.L LSohn Clayton' F Tur%ey 0treet' the Borough. >y cab !s out of 0h!%ley's :ard' near *aterloo 0tat!on.L 0herlock Hol)es )ade a note of !t. L<o&' Clayton' tell )e all about the fare &ho ca)e and &atched th!s house at ten o'clock th!s )orn!ng and after&ards follo&ed the t&o gentle)en do&n /egent 0treet.L The )an looked sur%r!sed and a l!ttle e)barrassed. L*hy' there's no good )y tell!ng you th!ngs' for you see) to kno& as )uch as , do already'L sa!d he. LThe truth !s that the gentle)an told )e that he &as a detect! e and that , &as to say noth!ng about h!) to anyone.L L>y good fello&K th!s !s a ery ser!ous bus!ness' and you )ay f!nd yourself !n a %retty bad %os!t!on !f you try to h!de anyth!ng fro) )e. :ou say that your fare told you that he &as a detect! eRL L:es' he d!d.L L*hen d!d he say th!sRL L*hen he left )e.L LD!d he say anyth!ng )oreRL LHe )ent!oned h!s na)e.L Hol)es cast a s&!ft glance of tr!u)%h at )e. L5h' he )ent!oned h!s na)e' d!d heR That &as !)%rudent. *hat &as the na)e that he )ent!onedRL LH!s na)e'L sa!d the cab)an' L&as >r. 0herlock Hol)es.L <e er ha e , seen )y fr!end )ore co)%letely taken aback than by the cab)an's re%ly. -or an !nstant he sat !n s!lent a)a;e)ent. Then he burst !nto a hearty laugh. LA touch' *atsonDDan unden!able touch(L sa!d he. L, feel a fo!l as Tu!ck and su%%le as )y o&n. He got ho)e u%on )e ery %rett!ly that t!)e. 0o h!s na)e &as 0herlock Hol)es' &as !tRL L:es' s!r' that &as the gentle)an's na)e.L LExcellent( Tell )e &here you %!cked h!) u% and all that occurred.L LHe ha!led )e at halfD%ast n!ne !n Trafalgar 0Tuare. He sa!d that he &as a detect! e' and he offered )e t&o gu!neas !f , &ould do exactly &hat he &anted all day and ask no Tuest!ons. , &as glad enough to agree. -!rst &e dro e do&n to the <orthu)berland Hotel and &a!ted there unt!l t&o gentle)en ca)e out and took a cab fro) the rank. *e follo&ed the!r cab unt!l !t %ulled u% so)e&here near here.L LTh!s ery door'L sa!d Hol)es.

 L*ell' , couldn't be sure of that' but , dare say )y fare kne& all about !t. *e %ulled u% half&ay do&n the street and &a!ted an hour and a half. Then the t&o gentle)en %assed us' &alk!ng' and &e follo&ed do&n Baker 0treet and alongDDL L, kno&'L sa!d Hol)es. L=nt!l &e got threeDTuarters do&n /egent 0treet. Then )y gentle)an thre& u% the tra%' and he cr!ed that , should dr! e r!ght a&ay to *aterloo 0tat!on as hard as , could go. , &h!%%ed u% the )are and &e &ere there under the ten )!nutes. Then he %a!d u% h!s t&o gu!neas' l!ke a good one' and a&ay he &ent !nto the stat!on. 5nly just as he &as lea !ng he turned round and he sa!d4 ',t )!ght !nterest you to kno& that you ha e been dr! !ng >r. 0herlock Hol)es.' That's ho& , co)e to kno& the na)e.L L, see. And you sa& no )ore of h!)RL L<ot after he &ent !nto the stat!on.L LAnd ho& &ould you descr!be >r. 0herlock Hol)esRL The cab)an scratched h!s head. L*ell' he &asn't altogether such an easy gentle)an to descr!be. ,'d %ut h!) at forty years of age' and he &as of a )!ddle he!ght' t&o or three !nches shorter than you' s!r. He &as dressed l!ke a toff' and he had a black beard' cut sTuare at the end' and a %ale face. , don't kno& as , could say )ore than that.L LColour of h!s eyesRL L<o' , can't say that.L L<oth!ng )ore that you can re)e)berRL L<o' s!rK noth!ng.L L*ell' then' here !s your halfDso ere!gn. There's another one &a!t!ng for you !f you can br!ng any )ore !nfor)at!on. GoodDn!ght(L LGoodDn!ght' s!r' and thank you(L Sohn Clayton de%arted chuckl!ng' and Hol)es turned to )e &!th a shrug of h!s shoulders and a rueful s)!le. L0na% goes our th!rd thread' and &e end &here &e began'L sa!d he. LThe cunn!ng rascal( He kne& our nu)ber' kne& that 0!r Henry Basker !lle had consulted )e' s%otted &ho , &as !n /egent 0treet' conjectured that , had got the nu)ber of the cab and &ould lay )y hands on the dr! er' and so sent back th!s audac!ous )essage. , tell you' *atson' th!s t!)e &e ha e got a foe)an &ho !s &orthy of our steel. ,' e been check)ated !n ?ondon. , can only &!sh you better luck !n De onsh!re. But ,') not easy !n )y )!nd about !t.L LAbout &hatRL LAbout send!ng you. ,t's an ugly bus!ness' *atson' an ugly

dangerous bus!ness' and the )ore , see of !t the less , l!ke !t. :es' )y dear fello&' you )ay laugh' but , g! e you )y &ord that , shall be ery glad to ha e you back safe and sound !n Baker 0treet once )ore.L Cha%ter N Basker !lle Hall 0!r Henry Basker !lle and Dr. >ort!)er &ere ready u%on the a%%o!nted day' and &e started as arranged for De onsh!re. >r. 0herlock Hol)es dro e &!th )e to the stat!on and ga e )e h!s last %art!ng !njunct!ons and ad !ce. L, &!ll not b!as your )!nd by suggest!ng theor!es or sus%!c!ons' *atson'L sa!d heK L, &!sh you s!)%ly to re%ort facts !n the fullest %oss!ble )anner to )e' and you can lea e )e to do the theor!;!ng.L L*hat sort of factsRL , asked. LAnyth!ng &h!ch )ay see) to ha e a bear!ng ho&e er !nd!rect u%on the case' and es%ec!ally the relat!ons bet&een young Basker !lle and h!s ne!ghbours or any fresh %art!culars concern!ng the death of 0!r Charles. , ha e )ade so)e !nTu!r!es )yself !n the last fe& days' but the results ha e' , fear' been negat! e. 5ne th!ng only a%%ears to be certa!n' and that !s that >r. Sa)es Des)ond' &ho !s the next he!r' !s an elderly gentle)an of a ery a)!able d!s%os!t!on' so that th!s %ersecut!on does not ar!se fro) h!). , really th!nk that &e )ay el!)!nate h!) ent!rely fro) our calculat!ons. There re)a!n the %eo%le &ho &!ll actually surround 0!r Henry Basker !lle u%on the )oor.L L*ould !t not be &ell !n the f!rst %lace to get r!d of th!s Barry)ore cou%leRL LBy no )eans. :ou could not )ake a greater )!stake. ,f they are !nnocent !t &ould be a cruel !njust!ce' and !f they are gu!lty &e should be g! !ng u% all chance of br!ng!ng !t ho)e to the). <o' no' &e &!ll %reser e the) u%on our l!st of sus%ects. Then there !s a groo) at the Hall' !f , re)e)ber r!ght. There are t&o )oorland far)ers. There !s our fr!end Dr. >ort!)er' &ho) , bel!e e to be ent!rely honest' and there !s h!s &!fe' of &ho) &e kno& noth!ng. There !s th!s natural!st' 0ta%leton' and there !s h!s s!ster' &ho !s sa!d to be a young lady of attract!ons. There !s >r. -rankland' of ?after Hall' &ho !s also an unkno&n factor' and there are one or t&o other ne!ghbours. These are the folk &ho )ust be your ery s%ec!al study.L L, &!ll do )y best.L L:ou ha e ar)s' , su%%oseRL L:es' , thought !t as &ell to take the).L L>ost certa!nly. Vee% your re ol er near you n!ght and day' and

ne er relax your %recaut!ons.L 5ur fr!ends had already secured a f!rstDclass carr!age and &ere &a!t!ng for us u%on the %latfor). L<o' &e ha e no ne&s of any k!nd'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er !n ans&er to )y fr!end's Tuest!ons. L, can s&ear to one th!ng' and that !s that &e ha e not been shado&ed dur!ng the last t&o days. *e ha e ne er gone out &!thout kee%!ng a shar% &atch' and no one could ha e esca%ed our not!ce.L L:ou ha e al&ays ke%t together' , %resu)eRL LExce%t yesterday afternoon. , usually g! e u% one day to %ure a)use)ent &hen , co)e to to&n' so , s%ent !t at the >useu) of the College of 0urgeons.L LAnd , &ent to look at the folk !n the %ark'L sa!d Basker !lle. LBut &e had no trouble of any k!nd.L L,t &as !)%rudent' all the sa)e'L sa!d Hol)es' shak!ng h!s head and look!ng ery gra e. L, beg' 0!r Henry' that you &!ll not go about alone. 0o)e great )!sfortune &!ll befall you !f you do. D!d you get your other bootRL L<o' s!r' !t !s gone fore er.L L,ndeed. That !s ery !nterest!ng. *ell' goodDbye'L he added as the tra!n began to gl!de do&n the %latfor). LBear !n )!nd' 0!r Henry' one of the %hrases !n that Tueer old legend &h!ch Dr. >ort!)er has read to us' and a o!d the )oor !n those hours of darkness &hen the %o&ers of e !l are exalted.L , looked back at the %latfor) &hen &e had left !t far beh!nd and sa& the tall' austere f!gure of Hol)es stand!ng )ot!onless and ga;!ng after us. The journey &as a s&!ft and %leasant one' and , s%ent !t !n )ak!ng the )ore !nt!)ate acTua!ntance of )y t&o co)%an!ons and !n %lay!ng &!th Dr. >ort!)er's s%an!el. ,n a ery fe& hours the bro&n earth had beco)e ruddy' the br!ck had changed to gran!te' and red co&s gra;ed !n &ellDhedged f!elds &here the lush grasses and )ore luxur!ant egetat!on s%oke of a r!cher' !f a da)%er' cl!)ate. :oung Basker !lle stared eagerly out of the &!ndo& and cr!ed aloud &!th del!ght as he recogn!;ed the fa)!l!ar features of the De on scenery. L,' e been o er a good %art of the &orld s!nce , left !t' Dr. *atson'L sa!d heK Lbut , ha e ne er seen a %lace to co)%are &!th !t.L L, ne er sa& a De onsh!re )an &ho d!d not s&ear by h!s county'L , re)arked. L,t de%ends u%on the breed of )en Tu!te as )uch as on the county'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er. LA glance at our fr!end here re eals the rounded head of the Celt' &h!ch carr!es !ns!de !t the Celt!c enthus!as) and %o&er of attach)ent. Poor 0!r Charles's head &as of

a ery rare ty%e' half Gael!c' half , ern!an !n !ts character!st!cs. But you &ere ery young &hen you last sa& Basker !lle Hall' &ere you notRL L, &as a boy !n )y teens at the t!)e of )y father's death and had ne er seen the Hall' for he l! ed !n a l!ttle cottage on the 0outh Coast. Thence , &ent stra!ght to a fr!end !n A)er!ca. , tell you !t !s all as ne& to )e as !t !s to Dr. *atson' and ,') as keen as %oss!ble to see the )oor.L LAre youR Then your &!sh !s eas!ly granted' for there !s your f!rst s!ght of the )oor'L sa!d Dr. >ort!)er' %o!nt!ng out of the carr!age &!ndo&. 5 er the green sTuares of the f!elds and the lo& cur e of a &ood there rose !n the d!stance a gray' )elancholy h!ll' &!th a strange jagged su))!t' d!) and ague !n the d!stance' l!ke so)e fantast!c landsca%e !n a drea). Basker !lle sat for a long t!)e' h!s eyes f!xed u%on !t' and , read u%on h!s eager face ho& )uch !t )eant to h!)' th!s f!rst s!ght of that strange s%ot &here the )en of h!s blood had held s&ay so long and left the!r )ark so dee%. There he sat' &!th h!s t&eed su!t and h!s A)er!can accent' !n the corner of a %rosa!c ra!l&ayDcarr!age' and yet as , looked at h!s dark and ex%ress! e face , felt )ore than e er ho& true a descendant he &as of that long l!ne of h!ghDblooded' f!ery' and )asterful )en. There &ere %r!de' alour' and strength !n h!s th!ck bro&s' h!s sens!t! e nostr!ls' and h!s large ha;el eyes. ,f on that forb!dd!ng )oor a d!ff!cult and dangerous Tuest should l!e before us' th!s &as at least a co)rade for &ho) one )!ght enture to take a r!sk &!th the certa!nty that he &ould bra ely share !t. The tra!n %ulled u% at a s)all &ays!de stat!on and &e all descended. 5uts!de' beyond the lo&' &h!te fence' a &agonette &!th a %a!r of cobs &as &a!t!ng. 5ur co)!ng &as e !dently a great e ent' for stat!onD)aster and %orters clustered round us to carry out our luggage. ,t &as a s&eet' s!)%le country s%ot' but , &as sur%r!sed to obser e that by the gate there stood t&o sold!erly )en !n dark un!for)s &ho leaned u%on the!r short r!fles and glanced keenly at us as &e %assed. The coach)an' a hardDfaced' gnarled l!ttle fello&' saluted 0!r Henry Basker !lle' and !n a fe& )!nutes &e &ere fly!ng s&!ftly do&n the broad' &h!te road. /oll!ng %asture lands cur ed u%&ard on e!ther s!de of us' and old gabled houses %ee%ed out fro) a)!d the th!ck green fol!age' but beh!nd the %eaceful and sunl!t countrys!de there rose e er' dark aga!nst the e en!ng sky' the long' gloo)y cur e of the )oor' broken by the jagged and s!n!ster h!lls. The &agonette s&ung round !nto a s!de road' and &e cur ed u%&ard through dee% lanes &orn by centur!es of &heels' h!gh banks on e!ther s!de' hea y &!th dr!%%!ng )oss and fleshy hart'sDtongue ferns. Bron;!ng bracken and )ottled bra)ble glea)ed !n the l!ght of the s!nk!ng sun. 0t!ll stead!ly r!s!ng' &e %assed o er a narro& gran!te br!dge and sk!rted a no!sy strea) &h!ch gushed s&!ftly do&n' foa)!ng and roar!ng a)!d the gray boulders. Both road and strea) &ound u% through a alley dense &!th scrub oak and f!r. At e ery turn Basker !lle ga e an excla)at!on of del!ght' look!ng eagerly about h!) and ask!ng countless Tuest!ons. To h!s eyes all see)ed beaut!ful' but to )e a t!nge of )elancholy lay u%on the countrys!de' &h!ch bore so clearly the )ark of the &an!ng

year. :ello& lea es car%eted the lanes and fluttered do&n u%on us as &e %assed. The rattle of our &heels d!ed a&ay as &e dro e through dr!fts of rott!ng egetat!onDDsad g!fts' as !t see)ed to )e' for <ature to thro& before the carr!age of the return!ng he!r of the Basker !lles. LHalloa(L cr!ed Dr. >ort!)er' L&hat !s th!sRL A stee% cur e of heathDclad land' an outly!ng s%ur of the )oor' lay !n front of us. 5n the su))!t' hard and clear l!ke an eTuestr!an statue u%on !ts %edestal' &as a )ounted sold!er' dark and stern' h!s r!fle %o!sed ready o er h!s forear). He &as &atch!ng the road along &h!ch &e tra elled. L*hat !s th!s' Perk!nsRL asked Dr. >ort!)er. 5ur dr! er half turned !n h!s seat. LThere's a con !ct esca%ed fro) Pr!nceto&n' s!r. He's been out three days no&' and the &arders &atch e ery road and e ery stat!on' but they' e had no s!ght of h!) yet. The far)ers about here don't l!ke !t' s!r' and that's a fact.L L*ell' , understand that they get f! e %ounds !f they can g! e !nfor)at!on.L L:es' s!r' but the chance of f! e %ounds !s but a %oor th!ng co)%ared to the chance of ha !ng your throat cut. :ou see' !t !sn't l!ke any ord!nary con !ct. Th!s !s a )an that &ould st!ck at noth!ng.L L*ho !s he' thenRL L,t !s 0elden' the <ott!ng H!ll )urderer.L , re)e)bered the case &ell' for !t &as one !n &h!ch Hol)es had taken an !nterest on account of the %ecul!ar feroc!ty of the cr!)e and the &anton brutal!ty &h!ch had )arked all the act!ons of the assass!n. The co))utat!on of h!s death sentence had been due to so)e doubts as to h!s co)%lete san!ty' so atroc!ous &as h!s conduct. 5ur &agonette had to%%ed a r!se and !n front of us rose the huge ex%anse of the )oor' )ottled &!th gnarled and craggy ca!rns and tors. A cold &!nd s&e%t do&n fro) !t and set us sh! er!ng. 0o)e&here there' on that desolate %la!n' &as lurk!ng th!s f!end!sh )an' h!d!ng !n a burro& l!ke a &!ld beast' h!s heart full of )al!gnancy aga!nst the &hole race &h!ch had cast h!) out. ,t needed but th!s to co)%lete the gr!) suggest! eness of the barren &aste' the ch!ll!ng &!nd' and the darkl!ng sky. E en Basker !lle fell s!lent and %ulled h!s o ercoat )ore closely around h!). *e had left the fert!le country beh!nd and beneath us. *e looked back on !t no&' the slant!ng rays of a lo& sun turn!ng the strea)s to threads of gold and glo&!ng on the red earth ne& turned by the %lough and the broad tangle of the &oodlands. The road !n front of us gre& bleaker and &!lder o er huge russet and ol! e slo%es' s%r!nkled &!th g!ant boulders. <o& and then &e %assed a )oorland cottage' &alled and roofed &!th stone' &!th no cree%er to break !ts harsh outl!ne. 0uddenly &e looked do&n !nto a cu%l!ke de%ress!on' %atched &!th stunted oaks and f!rs &h!ch had been t&!sted and bent by the fury of years of stor). T&o h!gh' narro&

to&ers rose o er the trees. The dr! er %o!nted &!th h!s &h!%. LBasker !lle Hall'L sa!d he. ,ts )aster had r!sen and &as star!ng &!th flushed cheeks and sh!n!ng eyes. A fe& )!nutes later &e had reached the lodgeDgates' a )a;e of fantast!c tracery !n &rought !ron' &!th &eatherDb!tten %!llars on e!ther s!de' blotched &!th l!chens' and sur)ounted by the boars' heads of the Basker !lles. The lodge &as a ru!n of black gran!te and bared r!bs of rafters' but fac!ng !t &as a ne& bu!ld!ng' half constructed' the f!rst fru!t of 0!r Charles's 0outh Afr!can gold. Through the gate&ay &e %assed !nto the a enue' &here the &heels &ere aga!n hushed a)!d the lea es' and the old trees shot the!r branches !n a so)bre tunnel o er our heads. Basker !lle shuddered as he looked u% the long' dark dr! e to &here the house gl!))ered l!ke a ghost at the farther end. L*as !t hereRL he asked !n a lo& o!ce. L<o' no' the ye& alley !s on the other s!de.L The young he!r glanced round &!th a gloo)y face. L,t's no &onder )y uncle felt as !f trouble &ere co)!ng on h!) !n such a %lace as th!s'L sa!d he. L,t's enough to scare any )an. ,'ll ha e a ro& of electr!c la)%s u% here !ns!de of s!x )onths' and you &on't kno& !t aga!n' &!th a thousand candleD%o&er 0&an and Ed!son r!ght here !n front of the hall door.L The a enue o%ened !nto a broad ex%anse of turf' and the house lay before us. ,n the fad!ng l!ght , could see that the centre &as a hea y block of bu!ld!ng fro) &h!ch a %orch %rojected. The &hole front &as dra%ed !n ! y' &!th a %atch cl!%%ed bare here and there &here a &!ndo& or a coat of ar)s broke through the dark e!l. -ro) th!s central block rose the t&!n to&ers' anc!ent' crenelated' and %!erced &!th )any loo%holes. To r!ght and left of the turrets &ere )ore )odern &!ngs of black gran!te. A dull l!ght shone through hea y )ull!oned &!ndo&s' and fro) the h!gh ch!)neys &h!ch rose fro) the stee%' h!ghDangled roof there s%rang a s!ngle black colu)n of s)oke. L*elco)e' 0!r Henry( *elco)e to Basker !lle Hall(L A tall )an had ste%%ed fro) the shado& of the %orch to o%en the door of the &agonette. The f!gure of a &o)an &as s!lhouetted aga!nst the yello& l!ght of the hall. 0he ca)e out and hel%ed the )an to hand do&n our bags. L:ou don't )!nd )y dr! !ng stra!ght ho)e' 0!r HenryRL sa!d Dr. >ort!)er. L>y &!fe !s ex%ect!ng )e.L L0urely you &!ll stay and ha e so)e d!nnerRL L<o' , )ust go. , shall %robably f!nd so)e &ork a&a!t!ng )e. , &ould stay to sho& you o er the house' but Barry)ore &!ll be a better gu!de than ,. GoodDbye' and ne er hes!tate n!ght or day to send for )e !f , can be of ser !ce.L

 The &heels d!ed a&ay do&n the dr! e &h!le 0!r Henry and , turned !nto the hall' and the door clanged hea !ly beh!nd us. ,t &as a f!ne a%art)ent !n &h!ch &e found oursel es' large' lofty' and hea !ly raftered &!th huge baulks of ageDblackened oak. ,n the great oldDfash!oned f!re%lace beh!nd the h!gh !ron dogs a logDf!re crackled and sna%%ed. 0!r Henry and , held out our hands to !t' for &e &ere nu)b fro) our long dr! e. Then &e ga;ed round us at the h!gh' th!n &!ndo& of old sta!ned glass' the oak %anell!ng' the stags' heads' the coats of ar)s u%on the &alls' all d!) and so)bre !n the subdued l!ght of the central la)%. L,t's just as , !)ag!ned !t'L sa!d 0!r Henry. L,s !t not the ery %!cture of an old fa)!ly ho)eR To th!nk that th!s should be the sa)e hall !n &h!ch for f! e hundred years )y %eo%le ha e l! ed. ,t str!kes )e sole)n to th!nk of !t.L , sa& h!s dark face l!t u% &!th a boy!sh enthus!as) as he ga;ed about h!). The l!ght beat u%on h!) &here he stood' but long shado&s tra!led do&n the &alls and hung l!ke a black cano%y abo e h!). Barry)ore had returned fro) tak!ng our luggage to our roo)s. He stood !n front of us no& &!th the subdued )anner of a &ellDtra!ned ser ant. He &as a re)arkableDlook!ng )an' tall' handso)e' &!th a sTuare black beard and %ale' d!st!ngu!shed features. L*ould you &!sh d!nner to be ser ed at once' s!rRL L,s !t readyRL L,n a ery fe& )!nutes' s!r. :ou &!ll f!nd hot &ater !n your roo)s. >y &!fe and , &!ll be ha%%y' 0!r Henry' to stay &!th you unt!l you ha e )ade your fresh arrange)ents' but you &!ll understand that under the ne& cond!t!ons th!s house &!ll reTu!re a cons!derable staff.L L*hat ne& cond!t!onsRL L, only )eant' s!r' that 0!r Charles led a ery ret!red l!fe' and &e &ere able to look after h!s &ants. :ou &ould' naturally' &!sh to ha e )ore co)%any' and so you &!ll need changes !n your household.L LDo you )ean that your &!fe and you &!sh to lea eRL L5nly &hen !t !s Tu!te con en!ent to you' s!r.L LBut your fa)!ly ha e been &!th us for se eral generat!ons' ha e they notR , should be sorry to beg!n )y l!fe here by break!ng an old fa)!ly connect!on.L , see)ed to d!scern so)e s!gns of e)ot!on u%on the butler's &h!te face. L, feel that also' s!r' and so does )y &!fe. But to tell the truth' s!r' &e &ere both ery )uch attached to 0!r Charles' and h!s death ga e us a shock and )ade these surround!ngs ery %a!nful to us. , fear that &e shall ne er aga!n be easy !n our )!nds at Basker !lle Hall.L

 LBut &hat do you !ntend to doRL L, ha e no doubt' s!r' that &e shall succeed !n establ!sh!ng oursel es !n so)e bus!ness. 0!r Charles's generos!ty has g! en us the )eans to do so. And no&' s!r' %erha%s , had best sho& you to your roo)s.L A sTuare balustraded gallery ran round the to% of the old hall' a%%roached by a double sta!r. -ro) th!s central %o!nt t&o long corr!dors extended the &hole length of the bu!ld!ng' fro) &h!ch all the bedroo)s o%ened. >y o&n &as !n the sa)e &!ng as Basker !lle's and al)ost next door to !t. These roo)s a%%eared to be )uch )ore )odern than the central %art of the house' and the br!ght %a%er and nu)erous candles d!d so)eth!ng to re)o e the so)bre !)%ress!on &h!ch our arr! al had left u%on )y )!nd. But the d!n!ngDroo) &h!ch o%ened out of the hall &as a %lace of shado& and gloo). ,t &as a long cha)ber &!th a ste% se%arat!ng the da!s &here the fa)!ly sat fro) the lo&er %ort!on reser ed for the!r de%endents. At one end a )!nstrel's gallery o erlooked !t. Black bea)s shot across abo e our heads' &!th a s)okeDdarkened ce!l!ng beyond the). *!th ro&s of flar!ng torches to l!ght !t u%' and the colour and rude h!lar!ty of an oldDt!)e banTuet' !t )!ght ha e softenedK but no&' &hen t&o blackDclothed gentle)en sat !n the l!ttle c!rcle of l!ght thro&n by a shaded la)%' one's o!ce beca)e hushed and one's s%!r!t subdued. A d!) l!ne of ancestors' !n e ery ar!ety of dress' fro) the El!;abethan kn!ght to the buck of the /egency' stared do&n u%on us and daunted us by the!r s!lent co)%any. *e talked l!ttle' and , for one &as glad &hen the )eal &as o er and &e &ere able to ret!re !nto the )odern b!ll!ardDroo) and s)oke a c!garette. L>y &ord' !t !sn't a ery cheerful %lace'L sa!d 0!r Henry. L, su%%ose one can tone do&n to !t' but , feel a b!t out of the %!cture at %resent. , don't &onder that )y uncle got a l!ttle ju)%y !f he l! ed all alone !n such a house as th!s. Ho&e er' !f !t su!ts you' &e &!ll ret!re early ton!ght' and %erha%s th!ngs )ay see) )ore cheerful !n the )orn!ng.L , dre& as!de )y curta!ns before , &ent to bed and looked out fro) )y &!ndo&. ,t o%ened u%on the grassy s%ace &h!ch lay !n front of the hall door. Beyond' t&o co%ses of trees )oaned and s&ung !n a r!s!ng &!nd. A half )oon broke through the r!fts of rac!ng clouds. ,n !ts cold l!ght , sa& beyond the trees a broken fr!nge of rocks' and the long' lo& cur e of the )elancholy )oor. , closed the curta!n' feel!ng that )y last !)%ress!on &as !n kee%!ng &!th the rest. And yet !t &as not Tu!te the last. , found )yself &eary and yet &akeful' toss!ng restlessly fro) s!de to s!de' seek!ng for the slee% &h!ch &ould not co)e. -ar a&ay a ch!)!ng clock struck out the Tuarters of the hours' but other&!se a deathly s!lence lay u%on the old house. And then suddenly' !n the ery dead of the n!ght' there ca)e a sound to )y ears' clear' resonant' and un)!stakable. ,t &as the sob of a &o)an' the )uffled' strangl!ng gas% of one &ho !s torn by an uncontrollable sorro&. , sat u% !n bed and l!stened !ntently. The no!se could not ha e been far a&ay and &as certa!nly !n the house. -or half an hour , &a!ted

&!th e ery ner e on the alert' but there ca)e no other sound sa e the ch!)!ng clock and the rustle of the ! y on the &all. Cha%ter 3 The 0ta%letons of >err!%!t House The fresh beauty of the follo&!ng )orn!ng d!d so)eth!ng to efface fro) our )!nds the gr!) and gray !)%ress!on &h!ch had been left u%on both of us by our f!rst ex%er!ence of Basker !lle Hall. As 0!r Henry and , sat at breakfast the sunl!ght flooded !n through the h!gh )ull!oned &!ndo&s' thro&!ng &atery %atches of colour fro) the coats of ar)s &h!ch co ered the). The dark %anell!ng glo&ed l!ke bron;e !n the golden rays' and !t &as hard to real!;e that th!s &as !ndeed the cha)ber &h!ch had struck such a gloo) !nto our souls u%on the e en!ng before. L, guess !t !s oursel es and not the house that &e ha e to bla)e(L sa!d the baronet. L*e &ere t!red &!th our journey and ch!lled by our dr! e' so &e took a gray !e& of the %lace. <o& &e are fresh and &ell' so !t !s all cheerful once )ore.L LAnd yet !t &as not ent!rely a Tuest!on of !)ag!nat!on'L , ans&ered. LD!d you' for exa)%le' ha%%en to hear so)eone' a &o)an , th!nk' sobb!ng !n the n!ghtRL LThat !s cur!ous' for , d!d &hen , &as half aslee% fancy that , heard so)eth!ng of the sort. , &a!ted Tu!te a t!)e' but there &as no )ore of !t' so , concluded that !t &as all a drea).L L, heard !t d!st!nctly' and , a) sure that !t &as really the sob of a &o)an.L L*e )ust ask about th!s r!ght a&ay.L He rang the bell and asked Barry)ore &hether he could account for our ex%er!ence. ,t see)ed to )e that the %all!d features of the butler turned a shade %aler st!ll as he l!stened to h!s )aster's Tuest!on. LThere are only t&o &o)en !n the house' 0!r Henry'L he ans&ered. L5ne !s the sculleryD)a!d' &ho slee%s !n the other &!ng. The other !s )y &!fe' and , can ans&er for !t that the sound could not ha e co)e fro) her.L And yet he l!ed as he sa!d !t' for !t chanced that after breakfast , )et >rs. Barry)ore !n the long corr!dor &!th the sun full u%on her face. 0he &as a large' !)%ass! e' hea yDfeatured &o)an &!th a stern set ex%ress!on of )outh. But her telltale eyes &ere red and glanced at )e fro) bet&een s&ollen l!ds. ,t &as she' then' &ho &e%t !n the n!ght' and !f she d!d so her husband )ust kno& !t. :et he had taken the ob !ous r!sk of d!sco ery !n declar!ng that !t &as not so. *hy had he done th!sR And &hy d!d she &ee% so b!tterlyR Already round th!s %aleDfaced' handso)e' blackDbearded )an there &as gather!ng an at)os%here of )ystery and of gloo). ,t &as he &ho had been the f!rst to d!sco er the body of 0!r Charles' and &e had only h!s &ord for all the c!rcu)stances &h!ch led u%

to the old )an's death. *as !t %oss!ble that !t &as Barry)ore' after all' &ho) &e had seen !n the cab !n /egent 0treetR The beard )!ght &ell ha e been the sa)e. The cab)an had descr!bed a so)e&hat shorter )an' but such an !)%ress!on )!ght eas!ly ha e been erroneous. Ho& could , settle the %o!nt fore erR 5b !ously the f!rst th!ng to do &as to see the Gr!)%en %ost)aster and f!nd &hether the test telegra) had really been %laced !n Barry)ore's o&n hands. Be the ans&er &hat !t )!ght' , should at least ha e so)eth!ng to re%ort to 0herlock Hol)es. 0!r Henry had nu)erous %a%ers to exa)!ne after breakfast' so that the t!)e &as %ro%!t!ous for )y excurs!on. ,t &as a %leasant &alk of four )!les along the edge of the )oor' lead!ng )e at last to a s)all gray ha)let' !n &h!ch t&o larger bu!ld!ngs' &h!ch %ro ed to be the !nn and the house of Dr. >ort!)er' stood h!gh abo e the rest. The %ost)aster' &ho &as also the !llage grocer' had a clear recollect!on of the telegra). LCerta!nly' s!r'L sa!d he' L, had the telegra) del! ered to >r. Barry)ore exactly as d!rected.L L*ho del! ered !tRL L>y boy here. Sa)es' you del! ered that telegra) to >r. Barry)ore at the Hall last &eek' d!d you notRL L:es' father' , del! ered !t.L L,nto h!s o&n handsRL , asked. L*ell' he &as u% !n the loft at the t!)e' so that , could not %ut !t !nto h!s o&n hands' but , ga e !t !nto >rs. Barry)ore's hands' and she %ro)!sed to del! er !t at once.L LD!d you see >r. Barry)oreRL L<o' s!rK , tell you he &as !n the loft.L L,f you d!dn't see h!)' ho& do you kno& he &as !n the loftRL L*ell' surely h!s o&n &!fe ought to kno& &here he !s'L sa!d the %ost)aster test!ly. LD!dn't he get the telegra)R ,f there !s any )!stake !t !s for >r. Barry)ore h!)self to co)%la!n.L ,t see)ed ho%eless to %ursue the !nTu!ry any farther' but !t &as clear that !n s%!te of Hol)es's ruse &e had no %roof that Barry)ore had not been !n ?ondon all the t!)e. 0u%%ose that !t &ere soDD su%%ose that the sa)e )an had been the last &ho had seen 0!r Charles al! e' and the f!rst to dog the ne& he!r &hen he returned to England. *hat thenR *as he the agent of others or had he so)e s!n!ster des!gn of h!s o&nR *hat !nterest could he ha e !n %ersecut!ng the Basker !lle fa)!lyR , thought of the strange &arn!ng cl!%%ed out of the lead!ng art!cle of the T!)es. *as that h!s &ork or &as !t %oss!bly the do!ng of so)eone &ho &as bent u%on counteract!ng h!s sche)esR The only conce! able )ot! e &as that &h!ch had been suggested by 0!r Henry' that !f the fa)!ly could be scared a&ay a co)fortable and %er)anent ho)e &ould be secured for the Barry)ores. But surely such an ex%lanat!on as that &ould be Tu!te !nadeTuate to account for the dee% and subtle sche)!ng

&h!ch see)ed to be &ea !ng an !n !s!ble net round the young baronet. Hol)es h!)self had sa!d that no )ore co)%lex case had co)e to h!) !n all the long ser!es of h!s sensat!onal !n est!gat!ons. , %rayed' as , &alked back along the gray' lonely road' that )y fr!end )!ght soon be freed fro) h!s %reoccu%at!ons and able to co)e do&n to take th!s hea y burden of res%ons!b!l!ty fro) )y shoulders. 0uddenly )y thoughts &ere !nterru%ted by the sound of runn!ng feet beh!nd )e and by a o!ce &h!ch called )e by na)e. , turned' ex%ect!ng to see Dr. >ort!)er' but to )y sur%r!se !t &as a stranger &ho &as %ursu!ng )e. He &as a s)all' sl!)' cleanDsha en' %r!)D faced )an' flaxenDha!red and leanja&ed' bet&een th!rty and forty years of age' dressed !n a gray su!t and &ear!ng a stra& hat. A t!n box for botan!cal s%ec!)ens hung o er h!s shoulder and he carr!ed a green butterflyDnet !n one of h!s hands. L:ou &!ll' , a) sure' excuse )y %resu)%t!on' Dr. *atson'L sa!d he as he ca)e %ant!ng u% to &here , stood. LHere on the )oor &e are ho)ely folk and do not &a!t for for)al !ntroduct!ons. :ou )ay %oss!bly ha e heard )y na)e fro) our )utual fr!end' >ort!)er. , a) 0ta%leton' of >err!%!t House.L L:our net and box &ould ha e told )e as )uch'L sa!d ,' Lfor , kne& that >r. 0ta%leton &as a natural!st. But ho& d!d you kno& )eRL L, ha e been call!ng on >ort!)er' and he %o!nted you out to )e fro) the &!ndo& of h!s surgery as you %assed. As our road lay the sa)e &ay , thought that , &ould o ertake you and !ntroduce )yself. , trust that 0!r Henry !s none the &orse for h!s journeyRL LHe !s ery &ell' thank you.L L*e &ere all rather afra!d that after the sad death of 0!r Charles the ne& baronet )!ght refuse to l! e here. ,t !s ask!ng )uch of a &ealthy )an to co)e do&n and bury h!)self !n a %lace of th!s k!nd' but , need not tell you that !t )eans a ery great deal to the countrys!de. 0!r Henry has' , su%%ose' no su%erst!t!ous fears !n the )atterRL L, do not th!nk that !t !s l!kely.L L5f course you kno& the legend of the f!end dog &h!ch haunts the fa)!lyRL L, ha e heard !t.L L,t !s extraord!nary ho& credulous the %easants are about here( Any nu)ber of the) are ready to s&ear that they ha e seen such a creature u%on the )oor.L He s%oke &!th a s)!le' but , see)ed to read !n h!s eyes that he took the )atter )ore ser!ously. LThe story took a great hold u%on the !)ag!nat!on of 0!r Charles' and , ha e no doubt that !t led to h!s trag!c end.L LBut ho&RL LH!s ner es &ere so &orked u% that the a%%earance of any dog )!ght ha e had a fatal effect u%on h!s d!seased heart. , fancy that he really d!d see so)eth!ng of the k!nd u%on that last n!ght !n

the ye& alley. , feared that so)e d!saster )!ght occur' for , &as ery fond of the old )an' and , kne& that h!s heart &as &eak.L LHo& d!d you kno& thatRL L>y fr!end >ort!)er told )e.L L:ou th!nk' then' that so)e dog %ursued 0!r Charles' and that he d!ed of fr!ght !n conseTuenceRL LHa e you any better ex%lanat!onRL L, ha e not co)e to any conclus!on.L LHas >r. 0herlock Hol)esRL The &ords took a&ay )y breath for an !nstant but a glance at the %lac!d face and steadfast eyes of )y co)%an!on sho&ed that no sur%r!se &as !ntended. L,t !s useless for us to %retend that &e do not kno& you' Dr. *atson'L sa!d he. LThe records of your detect! e ha e reached us here' and you could not celebrate h!) &!thout be!ng kno&n yourself. *hen >ort!)er told )e your na)e he could not deny your !dent!ty. ,f you are here' then !t follo&s that >r. 0herlock Hol)es !s !nterest!ng h!)self !n the )atter' and , a) naturally cur!ous to kno& &hat !e& he )ay take.L L, a) afra!d that , cannot ans&er that Tuest!on.L L>ay , ask !f he !s go!ng to honour us &!th a !s!t h!)selfRL LHe cannot lea e to&n at %resent. He has other cases &h!ch engage h!s attent!on.L L*hat a %!ty( He )!ght thro& so)e l!ght on that &h!ch !s so dark to us. But as to your o&n researches' !f there !s any %oss!ble &ay !n &h!ch , can be of ser !ce to you , trust that you &!ll co))and )e. ,f , had any !nd!cat!on of the nature of your sus%!c!ons or ho& you %ro%ose to !n est!gate the case' , )!ght %erha%s e en no& g! e you so)e a!d or ad !ce.L L, assure you that , a) s!)%ly here u%on a !s!t to )y fr!end' 0!r Henry' and that , need no hel% of any k!nd.L LExcellent(L sa!d 0ta%leton. L:ou are %erfectly r!ght to be &ary and d!screet. , a) justly re%ro ed for &hat , feel &as an unjust!f!able !ntrus!on' and , %ro)!se you that , &!ll not )ent!on the )atter aga!n.L *e had co)e to a %o!nt &here a narro& grassy %ath struck off fro) the road and &ound a&ay across the )oor. A stee%' boulderDs%r!nkled h!ll lay u%on the r!ght &h!ch had !n bygone days been cut !nto a gran!te Tuarry. The face &h!ch &as turned to&ards us for)ed a dark cl!ff' &!th ferns and bra)bles gro&!ng !n !ts n!ches. -ro) o er a d!stant r!se there floated a gray %lu)e of s)oke. LA )oderate &alk along th!s )oorD%ath br!ngs us to >err!%!t House'L sa!d he. LPerha%s you &!ll s%are an hour that , )ay ha e the

%leasure of !ntroduc!ng you to )y s!ster.L >y f!rst thought &as that , should be by 0!r Henry's s!de. But then , re)e)bered the %!le of %a%ers and b!lls &!th &h!ch h!s study table &as l!ttered. ,t &as certa!n that , could not hel% &!th those. And Hol)es had ex%ressly sa!d that , should study the ne!ghbours u%on the )oor. , acce%ted 0ta%leton's !n !tat!on' and &e turned together do&n the %ath. L,t !s a &onderful %lace' the )oor'L sa!d he' look!ng round o er the undulat!ng do&ns' long green rollers' &!th crests of jagged gran!te foa)!ng u% !nto fantast!c surges. L:ou ne er t!re of the )oor. :ou cannot th!nk the &onderful secrets &h!ch !t conta!ns. ,t !s so ast' and so barren' and so )yster!ous.L L:ou kno& !t &ell' thenRL L, ha e only been here t&o years. The res!dents &ould call )e a ne&co)er. *e ca)e shortly after 0!r Charles settled. But )y tastes led )e to ex%lore e ery %art of the country round' and , should th!nk that there are fe& )en &ho kno& !t better than , do.L L,s !t hard to kno&RL L.ery hard. :ou see' for exa)%le' th!s great %la!n to the north here &!th the Tueer h!lls break!ng out of !t. Do you obser e anyth!ng re)arkable about thatRL L,t &ould be a rare %lace for a gallo%.L L:ou &ould naturally th!nk so and the thought has cost se eral the!r l! es before no&. :ou not!ce those br!ght green s%ots scattered th!ckly o er !tRL L:es' they see) )ore fert!le than the rest.L 0ta%leton laughed. LThat !s the great Gr!)%en >!re'L sa!d he. LA false ste% yonder )eans death to )an or beast. 5nly yesterday , sa& one of the )oor %on!es &ander !nto !t. He ne er ca)e out. , sa& h!s head for Tu!te a long t!)e cran!ng out of the bogDhole' but !t sucked h!) do&n at last. E en !n dry seasons !t !s a danger to cross !t' but after these autu)n ra!ns !t !s an a&ful %lace. And yet , can f!nd )y &ay to the ery heart of !t and return al! e. By George' there !s another of those )!serable %on!es(L 0o)eth!ng bro&n &as roll!ng and toss!ng a)ong the green sedges. Then a long' agon!;ed' &r!th!ng neck shot u%&ard and a dreadful cry echoed o er the )oor. ,t turned )e cold &!th horror' but )y co)%an!on's ner es see)ed to be stronger than )!ne. L,t's gone(L sa!d he. LThe )!re has h!). T&o !n t&o days' and )any )ore' %erha%s' for they get !n the &ay of go!ng there !n the dry &eather and ne er kno& the d!fference unt!l the )!re has the) !n !ts clutches. ,t's a bad %lace' the great Gr!)%en >!re.L LAnd you say you can %enetrate !tRL L:es' there are one or t&o %aths &h!ch a ery act! e )an can take. , ha e found the) out.L

 LBut &hy should you &!sh to go !nto so horr!ble a %laceRL L*ell' you see the h!lls beyondR They are really !slands cut off on all s!des by the !)%assable )!re' &h!ch has cra&led round the) !n the course of years. That !s &here the rare %lants and the butterfl!es are' !f you ha e the &!t to reach the).L L, shall try )y luck so)e day.L He looked at )e &!th a sur%r!sed face. L-or God's sake %ut such an !dea out of your )!nd'L sa!d he. L:our blood &ould be u%on )y head. , assure you that there &ould not be the least chance of your co)!ng back al! e. ,t !s only by re)e)ber!ng certa!n co)%lex land)arks that , a) able to do !t.L LHalloa(L , cr!ed. L*hat !s thatRL A long' lo& )oan' !ndescr!bably sad' s&e%t o er the )oor. ,t f!lled the &hole a!r' and yet !t &as !)%oss!ble to say &hence !t ca)e. -ro) a dull )ur)ur !t s&elled !nto a dee% roar' and then sank back !nto a )elancholy' throbb!ng )ur)ur once aga!n. 0ta%leton looked at )e &!th a cur!ous ex%ress!on !n h!s face. LUueer %lace' the )oor(L sa!d he. LBut &hat !s !tRL LThe %easants say !t !s the Hound of the Basker !lles call!ng for !ts %rey. ,' e heard !t once or t&!ce before' but ne er Tu!te so loud.L , looked round' &!th a ch!ll of fear !n )y heart' at the huge s&ell!ng %la!n' )ottled &!th the green %atches of rushes. <oth!ng st!rred o er the ast ex%anse sa e a %a!r of ra ens' &h!ch croaked loudly fro) a tor beh!nd us. L:ou are an educated )an. :ou don't bel!e e such nonsense as thatRL sa!d ,. L*hat do you th!nk !s the cause of so strange a soundRL LBogs )ake Tueer no!ses so)et!)es. ,t's the )ud settl!ng' or the &ater r!s!ng' or so)eth!ng.L L<o' no' that &as a l! !ng o!ce.L L*ell' %erha%s !t &as. D!d you e er hear a b!ttern boo)!ngRL L<o' , ne er d!d.L L,t's a ery rare b!rdDD%ract!cally ext!nctDD!n England no&' but all th!ngs are %oss!ble u%on the )oor. :es' , should not be sur%r!sed to learn that &hat &e ha e heard !s the cry of the last of the b!tterns.L L,t's the &e!rdest' strangest th!ng that e er , heard !n )y l!fe.L L:es' !t's rather an uncanny %lace altogether. ?ook at the h!lls!de yonder. *hat do you )ake of thoseRL

 The &hole stee% slo%e &as co ered &!th gray c!rcular r!ngs of stone' a score of the) at least. L*hat are theyR 0hee%D%ensRL L<o' they are the ho)es of our &orthy ancestors. Preh!stor!c )an l! ed th!ckly on the )oor' and as no one !n %art!cular has l! ed there s!nce' &e f!nd all h!s l!ttle arrange)ents exactly as he left the). These are h!s &!g&a)s &!th the roofs off. :ou can e en see h!s hearth and h!s couch !f you ha e the cur!os!ty to go !ns!de. LBut !t !s Tu!te a to&n. *hen &as !t !nhab!tedRL L<eol!th!c )anDDno date.L L*hat d!d he doRL LHe gra;ed h!s cattle on these slo%es' and he learned to d!g for t!n &hen the bron;e s&ord began to su%ersede the stone axe. ?ook at the great trench !n the o%%os!te h!ll. That !s h!s )ark. :es' you &!ll f!nd so)e ery s!ngular %o!nts about the )oor' Dr. *atson. 5h' excuse )e an !nstant( ,t !s surely Cyclo%!des.L A s)all fly or )oth had fluttered across our %ath' and !n an !nstant 0ta%leton &as rush!ng &!th extraord!nary energy and s%eed !n %ursu!t of !t. To )y d!s)ay the creature fle& stra!ght for the great )!re' and )y acTua!ntance ne er %aused for an !nstant' bound!ng fro) tuft to tuft beh!nd !t' h!s green net &a !ng !n the a!r. H!s gray clothes and jerky' ;!g;ag' !rregular %rogress )ade h!) not unl!ke so)e huge )oth h!)self. , &as stand!ng &atch!ng h!s %ursu!t &!th a )!xture of ad)!rat!on for h!s extraord!nary act! !ty and fear lest he should lose h!s foot!ng !n the treacherous )!re' &hen , heard the sound of ste%s and' turn!ng round' found a &o)an near )e u%on the %ath. 0he had co)e fro) the d!rect!on !n &h!ch the %lu)e of s)oke !nd!cated the %os!t!on of >err!%!t House' but the d!% of the )oor had h!d her unt!l she &as Tu!te close. , could not doubt that th!s &as the >!ss 0ta%leton of &ho) , had been told' s!nce lad!es of any sort )ust be fe& u%on the )oor' and , re)e)bered that , had heard so)eone descr!be her as be!ng a beauty. The &o)an &ho a%%roached )e &as certa!nly that' and of a )ost unco))on ty%e. There could not ha e been a greater contrast bet&een brother and s!ster' for 0ta%leton &as neutral t!nted' &!th l!ght ha!r and gray eyes' &h!le she &as darker than any brunette &ho) , ha e seen !n EnglandDDsl!)' elegant' and tall. 0he had a %roud' f!nely cut face' so regular that !t )!ght ha e see)ed !)%ass! e &ere !t not for the sens!t! e )outh and the beaut!ful dark' eager eyes. *!th her %erfect f!gure and elegant dress she &as' !ndeed' a strange a%%ar!t!on u%on a lonely )oorland %ath. Her eyes &ere on her brother as , turned' and then she Tu!ckened her %ace to&ards )e. , had ra!sed )y hat and &as about to )ake so)e ex%lanatory re)ark &hen her o&n &ords turned all )y thoughts !nto a ne& channel. LGo back(L she sa!d. LGo stra!ght back to ?ondon' !nstantly.L , could only stare at her !n stu%!d sur%r!se. Her eyes bla;ed

at )e' and she ta%%ed the ground !)%at!ently &!th her foot. L*hy should , go backRL , asked. L, cannot ex%la!n.L 0he s%oke !n a lo&' eager o!ce' &!th a cur!ous l!s% !n her utterance. LBut for God's sake do &hat , ask you. Go back and ne er set foot u%on the )oor aga!n.L LBut , ha e only just co)e.L L>an' )an(L she cr!ed. LCan you not tell &hen a &arn!ng !s for your o&n goodR Go back to ?ondon( 0tart ton!ght( Get a&ay fro) th!s %lace at all costs( Hush' )y brother !s co)!ng( <ot a &ord of &hat , ha e sa!d. *ould you )!nd gett!ng that orch!d for )e a)ong the )are'sDta!ls yonderR *e are ery r!ch !n orch!ds on the )oor' though' of course' you are rather late to see the beaut!es of the %lace.L 0ta%leton had abandoned the chase and ca)e back to us breath!ng hard and flushed &!th h!s exert!ons. LHalloa' Beryl(L sa!d he' and !t see)ed to )e that the tone of h!s greet!ng &as not altogether a cord!al one. L*ell' Sack' you are ery hot.L L:es' , &as chas!ng a Cyclo%!des. He !s ery rare and seldo) found !n the late autu)n. *hat a %!ty that , should ha e )!ssed h!)(L He s%oke unconcernedly' but h!s s)all l!ght eyes glanced !ncessantly fro) the g!rl to )e. L:ou ha e !ntroduced yoursel es' , can see.L L:es. , &as tell!ng 0!r Henry that !t &as rather late for h!) to see the true beaut!es of the )oor.L L*hy' &ho do you th!nk th!s !sRL L, !)ag!ne that !t )ust be 0!r Henry Basker !lle.L L<o' no'L sa!d ,. L5nly a hu)ble co))oner' but h!s fr!end. >y na)e !s Dr. *atson.L A flush of exat!on %assed o er her ex%ress! e face. L*e ha e been talk!ng at cross %ur%oses'L sa!d she. L*hy' you had not ery )uch t!)e for talk'L her brother re)arked &!th the sa)e Tuest!on!ng eyes. L, talked as !f Dr. *atson &ere a res!dent !nstead of be!ng )erely a !s!tor'L sa!d she. L,t cannot )uch )atter to h!) &hether !t !s early or late for the orch!ds. But you &!ll co)e on' &!ll you not' and see >err!%!t HouseRL A short &alk brought us to !t' a bleak )oorland house' once the far) of so)e gra;!er !n the old %ros%erous days' but no& %ut !nto re%a!r and turned !nto a )odern d&ell!ng. An orchard surrounded !t' but the trees' as !s usual u%on the )oor' &ere stunted and n!%%ed' and the effect of the &hole %lace &as )ean and )elancholy.

*e &ere ad)!tted by a strange' &!;ened' rustyDcoated old )anser ant' &ho see)ed !n kee%!ng &!th the house. ,ns!de' ho&e er' there &ere large roo)s furn!shed &!th an elegance !n &h!ch , see)ed to recogn!;e the taste of the lady. As , looked fro) the!r &!ndo&s at the !nter)!nable gran!teDflecked )oor roll!ng unbroken to the farthest hor!;on , could not but )ar el at &hat could ha e brought th!s h!ghly educated )an and th!s beaut!ful &o)an to l! e !n such a %lace. LUueer s%ot to choose' !s !t notRL sa!d he as !f !n ans&er to )y thought. LAnd yet &e )anage to )ake oursel es fa!rly ha%%y' do &e not' BerylRL LUu!te ha%%y'L sa!d she' but there &as no r!ng of con !ct!on !n her &ords. L, had a school'L sa!d 0ta%leton. L,t &as !n the north country. The &ork to a )an of )y te)%era)ent &as )echan!cal and un!nterest!ng' but the %r! !lege of l! !ng &!th youth' of hel%!ng to )ould those young )!nds' and of !)%ress!ng the) &!th one's o&n character and !deals &as ery dear to )e. Ho&e er' the fates &ere aga!nst us. A ser!ous e%!de)!c broke out !n the school and three of the boys d!ed. ,t ne er reco ered fro) the blo&' and )uch of )y ca%!tal &as !rretr!e ably s&allo&ed u%. And yet' !f !t &ere not for the loss of the char)!ng co)%an!onsh!% of the boys' , could rejo!ce o er )y o&n )!sfortune' for' &!th )y strong tastes for botany and ;oology' , f!nd an unl!)!ted f!eld of &ork here' and )y s!ster !s as de oted to <ature as , a). All th!s' Dr. *atson' has been brought u%on your head by your ex%ress!on as you sur eyed the )oor out of our &!ndo&.L L,t certa!nly d!d cross )y )!nd that !t )!ght be a l!ttle dullDD less for you' %erha%s' than for your s!ster.L L<o' no' , a) ne er dull'L sa!d she Tu!ckly. L*e ha e books' &e ha e our stud!es' and &e ha e !nterest!ng ne!ghbours. Dr. >ort!)er !s a )ost learned )an !n h!s o&n l!ne. Poor 0!r Charles &as also an ad)!rable co)%an!on. *e kne& h!) &ell and )!ss h!) )ore than , can tell. Do you th!nk that , should !ntrude !f , &ere to call th!s afternoon and )ake the acTua!ntance of 0!r HenryRL L, a) sure that he &ould be del!ghted.L LThen %erha%s you &ould )ent!on that , %ro%ose to do so. *e )ay !n our hu)ble &ay do so)eth!ng to )ake th!ngs )ore easy for h!) unt!l he beco)es accusto)ed to h!s ne& surround!ngs. *!ll you co)e u%sta!rs' Dr. *atson' and !ns%ect )y collect!on of ?e%!do%teraR , th!nk !t !s the )ost co)%lete one !n the southD&est of England. By the t!)e that you ha e looked through the) lunch &!ll be al)ost ready.L But , &as eager to get back to )y charge. The )elancholy of the )oor' the death of the unfortunate %ony' the &e!rd sound &h!ch had been assoc!ated &!th the gr!) legend of the Basker !lles' all these th!ngs t!nged )y thoughts &!th sadness. Then on the to% of these )ore or less ague !)%ress!ons there had co)e the def!n!te and d!st!nct &arn!ng of >!ss 0ta%leton' del! ered &!th such !ntense

earnestness that , could not doubt that so)e gra e and dee% reason lay beh!nd !t. , res!sted all %ressure to stay for lunch' and , set off at once u%on )y return journey' tak!ng the grassDgro&n %ath by &h!ch &e had co)e. ,t see)s' ho&e er' that there )ust ha e been so)e short cut for those &ho kne& !t' for before , had reached the road , &as astounded to see >!ss 0ta%leton s!tt!ng u%on a rock by the s!de of the track. Her face &as beaut!fully flushed &!th her exert!ons and she held her hand to her s!de. L, ha e run all the &ay !n order to cut you off' Dr. *atson'L sa!d she. L, had not e en t!)e to %ut on )y hat. , )ust not sto%' or )y brother )ay )!ss )e. , &anted to say to you ho& sorry , a) about the stu%!d )!stake , )ade !n th!nk!ng that you &ere 0!r Henry. Please forget the &ords , sa!d' &h!ch ha e no a%%l!cat!on &hate er to you.L LBut , can't forget the)' >!ss 0ta%leton'L sa!d ,. L, a) 0!r Henry's fr!end' and h!s &elfare !s a ery close concern of )!ne. Tell )e &hy !t &as that you &ere so eager that 0!r Henry should return to ?ondon.L LA &o)an's &h!)' Dr. *atson. *hen you kno& )e better you &!ll understand that , cannot al&ays g! e reasons for &hat , say or do.L L<o' no. , re)e)ber the thr!ll !n your o!ce. , re)e)ber the look !n your eyes. Please' %lease' be frank &!th )e' >!ss 0ta%leton' for e er s!nce , ha e been here , ha e been consc!ous of shado&s all round )e. ?!fe has beco)e l!ke that great Gr!)%en >!re' &!th l!ttle green %atches e ery&here !nto &h!ch one )ay s!nk and &!th no gu!de to %o!nt the track. Tell )e then &hat !t &as that you )eant' and , &!ll %ro)!se to con ey your &arn!ng to 0!r Henry.L An ex%ress!on of !rresolut!on %assed for an !nstant o er her face' but her eyes had hardened aga!n &hen she ans&ered )e. L:ou )ake too )uch of !t' Dr. *atson'L sa!d she. L>y brother and , &ere ery )uch shocked by the death of 0!r Charles. *e kne& h!) ery !nt!)ately' for h!s fa our!te &alk &as o er the )oor to our house. He &as dee%ly !)%ressed &!th the curse &h!ch hung o er the fa)!ly' and &hen th!s tragedy ca)e , naturally felt that there )ust be so)e grounds for the fears &h!ch he had ex%ressed. , &as d!stressed therefore &hen another )e)ber of the fa)!ly ca)e do&n to l! e here' and , felt that he should be &arned of the danger &h!ch he &!ll run. That &as all &h!ch , !ntended to con ey. LBut &hat !s the dangerRL L:ou kno& the story of the houndRL L, do not bel!e e !n such nonsense.L LBut , do. ,f you ha e any !nfluence &!th 0!r Henry' take h!) a&ay fro) a %lace &h!ch has al&ays been fatal to h!s fa)!ly. The &orld !s &!de. *hy should he &!sh to l! e at the %lace of dangerRL LBecause !t !s the %lace of danger. That !s 0!r Henry's nature.

, fear that unless you can g! e )e so)e )ore def!n!te !nfor)at!on than th!s !t &ould be !)%oss!ble to get h!) to )o e.L L, cannot say anyth!ng def!n!te' for , do not kno& anyth!ng def!n!te.L L, &ould ask you one )ore Tuest!on' >!ss 0ta%leton. ,f you )eant no )ore than th!s &hen you f!rst s%oke to )e' &hy should you not &!sh your brother to o erhear &hat you sa!dR There !s noth!ng to &h!ch he' or anyone else' could object.L L>y brother !s ery anx!ous to ha e the Hall !nhab!ted' for he th!nks !t !s for the good of the %oor folk u%on the )oor. He &ould be ery angry !f he kne& that , ha e sa!d anyth!ng &h!ch )!ght !nduce 0!r Henry to go a&ay. But , ha e done )y duty no& and , &!ll say no )ore. , )ust go back' or he &!ll )!ss )e and sus%ect that , ha e seen you. GoodDbye(L 0he turned and had d!sa%%eared !n a fe& )!nutes a)ong the scattered boulders' &h!le ,' &!th )y soul full of ague fears' %ursued )y &ay to Basker !lle Hall. Cha%ter 8 -!rst /e%ort of Dr. *atson P-ro) th!s %o!nt on&ard , &!ll follo& the course of e ents by transcr!b!ng )y o&n letters to >r. 0herlock Hol)es &h!ch l!e before )e on the table. 5ne %age !s )!ss!ng' but other&!se they are exactly as &r!tten and sho& )y feel!ngs and sus%!c!ons of the )o)ent )ore accurately than )y )e)ory' clear as !t !s u%on these trag!c e ents' can %oss!bly do. Basker !lle Hall' 5ctober 1Fth. >: DEA/ H5?>E04 >y %re !ous letters and telegra)s ha e ke%t you %retty &ell u% to date as to all that has occurred !n th!s )ost GodDforsaken corner of the &orld. The longer one stays here the )ore does the s%!r!t of the )oor s!nk !nto one's soul' !ts astness' and also !ts gr!) char). *hen you are once out u%on !ts boso) you ha e left all traces of )odern England beh!nd you' but' on the other hand' you are consc!ous e ery&here of the ho)es and the &ork of the %reh!stor!c %eo%le. 5n all s!des of you as you &alk are the houses of these forgotten folk' &!th the!r gra es and the huge )onol!ths &h!ch are su%%osed to ha e )arked the!r te)%les. As you look at the!r gray stone huts aga!nst the scarred h!lls!des you lea e your o&n age beh!nd you' and !f you &ere to see a sk!nD clad' ha!ry )an cra&l out fro) the lo& door f!tt!ng a fl!ntDt!%%ed arro& on to the str!ng of h!s bo&' you &ould feel that h!s %resence there &as )ore natural than your o&n. The strange th!ng !s that they should ha e l! ed so th!ckly on &hat )ust al&ays ha e been )ost unfru!tful so!l. , a) no ant!Tuar!an' but , could !)ag!ne that they &ere so)e un&arl!ke and harr!ed race &ho &ere forced to acce%t that &h!ch none other &ould occu%y.

All th!s' ho&e er' !s fore!gn to the )!ss!on on &h!ch you sent )e and &!ll %robably be ery un!nterest!ng to your se erely %ract!cal )!nd. , can st!ll re)e)ber your co)%lete !nd!fference as to &hether the sun )o ed round the earth or the earth round the sun. ?et )e' therefore' return to the facts concern!ng 0!r Henry Basker !lle. ,f you ha e not had any re%ort &!th!n the last fe& days !t !s because u% to today there &as noth!ng of !)%ortance to relate. Then a ery sur%r!s!ng c!rcu)stance occurred' &h!ch , shall tell you !n due course. But' f!rst of all' , )ust kee% you !n touch &!th so)e of the other factors !n the s!tuat!on. 5ne of these' concern!ng &h!ch , ha e sa!d l!ttle' !s the esca%ed con !ct u%on the )oor. There !s strong reason no& to bel!e e that he has got r!ght a&ay' &h!ch !s a cons!derable rel!ef to the lonely householders of th!s d!str!ct. A fortn!ght has %assed s!nce h!s fl!ght' dur!ng &h!ch he has not been seen and noth!ng has been heard of h!). ,t !s surely !nconce! able that he could ha e held out u%on the )oor dur!ng all that t!)e. 5f course' so far as h!s conceal)ent goes there !s no d!ff!culty at all. Any one of these stone huts &ould g! e h!) a h!d!ngD%lace. But there !s noth!ng to eat unless he &ere to catch and slaughter one of the )oor shee%. *e th!nk' therefore' that he has gone' and the outly!ng far)ers slee% the better !n conseTuence. *e are four ableDbod!ed )en !n th!s household' so that &e could take good care of oursel es' but , confess that , ha e had uneasy )o)ents &hen , ha e thought of the 0ta%letons. They l! e )!les fro) any hel%. There are one )a!d' an old )anser ant' the s!ster' and the brother' the latter not a ery strong )an. They &ould be hel%less !n the hands of a des%erate fello& l!ke th!s <ott!ng H!ll cr!)!nal !f he could once effect an entrance. Both 0!r Henry and , &ere concerned at the!r s!tuat!on' and !t &as suggested that Perk!ns the groo) should go o er to slee% there' but 0ta%leton &ould not hear of !t. The fact !s that our fr!end' the baronet' beg!ns to d!s%lay a cons!derable !nterest !n our fa!r ne!ghbour. ,t !s not to be &ondered at' for t!)e hangs hea !ly !n th!s lonely s%ot to an act! e )an l!ke h!)' and she !s a ery fasc!nat!ng and beaut!ful &o)an. There !s so)eth!ng tro%!cal and exot!c about her &h!ch for)s a s!ngular contrast to her cool and une)ot!onal brother. :et he also g! es the !dea of h!dden f!res. He has certa!nly a ery )arked !nfluence o er her' for , ha e seen her cont!nually glance at h!) as she talked as !f seek!ng a%%robat!on for &hat she sa!d. , trust that he !s k!nd to her. There !s a dry gl!tter !n h!s eyes and a f!r) set of h!s th!n l!%s' &h!ch goes &!th a %os!t! e and %oss!bly a harsh nature. :ou &ould f!nd h!) an !nterest!ng study. He ca)e o er to call u%on Basker !lle on that f!rst day' and the ery next )orn!ng he took us both to sho& us the s%ot &here the legend of the &!cked Hugo !s su%%osed to ha e had !ts or!g!n. ,t &as an excurs!on of so)e )!les across the )oor to a %lace &h!ch !s so d!s)al that !t )!ght ha e suggested the story. *e found a short alley bet&een rugged tors &h!ch led to an o%en' grassy s%ace flecked o er &!th the &h!te cotton grass. ,n the )!ddle of !t rose t&o great stones' &orn and shar%ened at the u%%er end unt!l

they looked l!ke the huge corrod!ng fangs of so)e )onstrous beast. ,n e ery &ay !t corres%onded &!th the scene of the old tragedy. 0!r Henry &as )uch !nterested and asked 0ta%leton )ore than once &hether he d!d really bel!e e !n the %oss!b!l!ty of the !nterference of the su%ernatural !n the affa!rs of )en. He s%oke l!ghtly' but !t &as e !dent that he &as ery )uch !n earnest. 0ta%leton &as guarded !n h!s re%l!es' but !t &as easy to see that he sa!d less than he )!ght' and that he &ould not ex%ress h!s &hole o%!n!on out of cons!derat!on for the feel!ngs of the baronet. He told us of s!)!lar cases' &here fa)!l!es had suffered fro) so)e e !l !nfluence' and he left us &!th the !)%ress!on that he shared the %o%ular !e& u%on the )atter. 5n our &ay back &e stayed for lunch at >err!%!t House' and !t &as there that 0!r Henry )ade the acTua!ntance of >!ss 0ta%leton. -ro) the f!rst )o)ent that he sa& her he a%%eared to be strongly attracted by her' and , a) )uch )!staken !f the feel!ng &as not )utual. He referred to her aga!n and aga!n on our &alk ho)e' and s!nce then hardly a day has %assed that &e ha e not seen so)eth!ng of the brother and s!ster. They d!ne here ton!ght' and there !s so)e talk of our go!ng to the) next &eek. 5ne &ould !)ag!ne that such a )atch &ould be ery &elco)e to 0ta%leton' and yet , ha e )ore than once caught a look of the strongest d!sa%%robat!on !n h!s face &hen 0!r Henry has been %ay!ng so)e attent!on to h!s s!ster. He !s )uch attached to her' no doubt' and &ould lead a lonely l!fe &!thout her' but !t &ould see) the he!ght of self!shness !f he &ere to stand !n the &ay of her )ak!ng so br!ll!ant a )arr!age. :et , a) certa!n that he does not &!sh the!r !nt!)acy to r!%en !nto lo e' and , ha e se eral t!)es obser ed that he has taken %a!ns to %re ent the) fro) be!ng teteD aDtete. By the &ay' your !nstruct!ons to )e ne er to allo& 0!r Henry to go out alone &!ll beco)e ery )uch )ore onerous !f a lo e affa!r &ere to be added to our other d!ff!cult!es. >y %o%ular!ty &ould soon suffer !f , &ere to carry out your orders to the letter. The other dayDDThursday' to be )ore exactDDDr. >ort!)er lunched &!th us. He has been exca at!ng a barro& at ?ong Do&n and has got a %reh!stor!c skull &h!ch f!lls h!) &!th great joy. <e er &as there such a s!ngleD)!nded enthus!ast as he( The 0ta%letons ca)e !n after&ards' and the good doctor took us all to the ye& alley at 0!r Henry's reTuest to sho& us exactly ho& e eryth!ng occurred u%on that fatal n!ght. ,t !s a long' d!s)al &alk' the ye& alley' bet&een t&o h!gh &alls of cl!%%ed hedge' &!th a narro& band of grass u%on e!ther s!de. At the far end !s an old tu)bleD do&n su))erDhouse. Half&ay do&n !s the )oorDgate' &here the old gentle)an left h!s c!garDash. ,t !s a &h!te &ooden gate &!th a latch. Beyond !t l!es the &!de )oor. , re)e)bered your theory of the affa!r and tr!ed to %!cture all that had occurred. As the old )an stood there he sa& so)eth!ng co)!ng across the )oor' so)eth!ng &h!ch terr!f!ed h!) so that he lost h!s &!ts and ran and ran unt!l he d!ed of sheer horror and exhaust!on. There &as the long' gloo)y tunnel do&n &h!ch he fled. And fro) &hatR A shee%Ddog of the )oorR 5r a s%ectral hound' black' s!lent' and )onstrousR *as there a hu)an agency !n the )atterR D!d the %ale' &atchful Barry)ore kno& )ore than he cared to sayR ,t &as all d!) and ague' but al&ays there !s the dark shado& of cr!)e beh!nd !t. 5ne other ne!ghbour , ha e )et s!nce , &rote last. Th!s !s >r.

-rankland' of ?after Hall' &ho l! es so)e four )!les to the south of us. He !s an elderly )an' redDfaced' &h!teDha!red' and choler!c. H!s %ass!on !s for the Br!t!sh la&' and he has s%ent a large fortune !n l!t!gat!on. He f!ghts for the )ere %leasure of f!ght!ng and !s eTually ready to take u% e!ther s!de of a Tuest!on' so that !t !s no &onder that he has found !t a costly a)use)ent. 0o)et!)es he &!ll shut u% a r!ght of &ay and defy the %ar!sh to )ake h!) o%en !t. At others he &!ll &!th h!s o&n hands tear do&n so)e other )an's gate and declare that a %ath has ex!sted there fro) t!)e !))e)or!al' defy!ng the o&ner to %rosecute h!) for tres%ass. He !s learned !n old )anor!al and co))unal r!ghts' and he a%%l!es h!s kno&ledge so)et!)es !n fa our of the !llagers of -ern&orthy and so)et!)es aga!nst the)' so that he !s %er!od!cally e!ther carr!ed !n tr!u)%h do&n the !llage street or else burned !n eff!gy' accord!ng to h!s latest ex%lo!t. He !s sa!d to ha e about se en la&su!ts u%on h!s hands at %resent' &h!ch &!ll %robably s&allo& u% the re)a!nder of h!s fortune and so dra& h!s st!ng and lea e h!) har)less for the future. A%art fro) the la& he see)s a k!ndly' goodDnatured %erson' and , only )ent!on h!) because you &ere %art!cular that , should send so)e descr!%t!on of the %eo%le &ho surround us. He !s cur!ously e)%loyed at %resent' for' be!ng an a)ateur astrono)er' he has an excellent telesco%e' &!th &h!ch he l!es u%on the roof of h!s o&n house and s&ee%s the )oor all day !n the ho%e of catch!ng a gl!)%se of the esca%ed con !ct. ,f he &ould conf!ne h!s energ!es to th!s all &ould be &ell' but there are ru)ours that he !ntends to %rosecute Dr. >ort!)er for o%en!ng a gra e &!thout the consent of the next of k!n because he dug u% the <eol!th!c skull !n the barro& on ?ong Do&n. He hel%s to kee% our l! es fro) be!ng )onotonous and g! es a l!ttle co)!c rel!ef &here !t !s badly needed. And no&' ha !ng brought you u% to date !n the esca%ed con !ct' the 0ta%letons' Dr. >ort!)er' and -rankland' of ?after Hall' let )e end on that &h!ch !s )ost !)%ortant and tell you )ore about the Barry)ores' and es%ec!ally about the sur%r!s!ng de elo%)ent of last n!ght. -!rst of all about the test telegra)' &h!ch you sent fro) ?ondon !n order to )ake sure that Barry)ore &as really here. , ha e already ex%la!ned that the test!)ony of the %ost)aster sho&s that the test &as &orthless and that &e ha e no %roof one &ay or the other. , told 0!r Henry ho& the )atter stood' and he at once' !n h!s do&nr!ght fash!on' had Barry)ore u% and asked h!) &hether he had rece! ed the telegra) h!)self. Barry)ore sa!d that he had. LD!d the boy del! er !t !nto your o&n handsRL asked 0!r Henry. Barry)ore looked sur%r!sed' and cons!dered for a l!ttle t!)e. L<o'L sa!d he' L, &as !n the boxDroo) at the t!)e' and )y &!fe brought !t u% to )e.L LD!d you ans&er !t yourselfRL L<oK , told )y &!fe &hat to ans&er and she &ent do&n to &r!te !t.L ,n the e en!ng he recurred to the subject of h!s o&n accord. L, could not Tu!te understand the object of your Tuest!ons th!s

)orn!ng' 0!r Henry'L sa!d he. L, trust that they do not )ean that , ha e done anyth!ng to forfe!t your conf!denceRL 0!r Henry had to assure h!) that !t &as not so and %ac!fy h!) by g! !ng h!) a cons!derable %art of h!s old &ardrobe' the ?ondon outf!t ha !ng no& all arr! ed. >rs. Barry)ore !s of !nterest to )e. 0he !s a hea y' sol!d %erson' ery l!)!ted' !ntensely res%ectable' and !ncl!ned to be %ur!tan!cal. :ou could hardly conce! e a less e)ot!onal subject. :et , ha e told you ho&' on the f!rst n!ght here' , heard her sobb!ng b!tterly' and s!nce then , ha e )ore than once obser ed traces of tears u%on her face. 0o)e dee% sorro& gna&s e er at her heart. 0o)et!)es , &onder !f she has a gu!lty )e)ory &h!ch haunts her' and so)et!)es , sus%ect Barry)ore of be!ng a do)est!c tyrant. , ha e al&ays felt that there &as so)eth!ng s!ngular and Tuest!onable !n th!s )an's character' but the ad enture of last n!ght br!ngs all )y sus%!c!ons to a head. And yet !t )ay see) a s)all )atter !n !tself. :ou are a&are that , a) not a ery sound slee%er' and s!nce , ha e been on guard !n th!s house )y slu)bers ha e been l!ghter than e er. ?ast n!ght' about t&o !n the )orn!ng' , &as aroused by a stealthy ste% %ass!ng )y roo). , rose' o%ened )y door' and %ee%ed out. A long black shado& &as tra!l!ng do&n the corr!dor. ,t &as thro&n by a )an &ho &alked softly do&n the %assage &!th a candle held !n h!s hand. He &as !n sh!rt and trousers' &!th no co er!ng to h!s feet. , could )erely see the outl!ne' but h!s he!ght told )e that !t &as Barry)ore. He &alked ery slo&ly and c!rcu)s%ectly' and there &as so)eth!ng !ndescr!bably gu!lty and furt! e !n h!s &hole a%%earance. , ha e told you that the corr!dor !s broken by the balcony &h!ch runs round the hall' but that !t !s resu)ed u%on the farther s!de. , &a!ted unt!l he had %assed out of s!ght and then , follo&ed h!). *hen , ca)e round the balcony he had reached the end of the farther corr!dor' and , could see fro) the gl!))er of l!ght through an o%en door that he had entered one of the roo)s. <o&' all these roo)s are unfurn!shed and unoccu%!ed so that h!s ex%ed!t!on beca)e )ore )yster!ous than e er. The l!ght shone stead!ly as !f he &ere stand!ng )ot!onless. , cre%t do&n the %assage as no!selessly as , could and %ee%ed round the corner of the door. Barry)ore &as crouch!ng at the &!ndo& &!th the candle held aga!nst the glass. H!s %rof!le &as half turned to&ards )e' and h!s face see)ed to be r!g!d &!th ex%ectat!on as he stared out !nto the blackness of the )oor. -or so)e )!nutes he stood &atch!ng !ntently. Then he ga e a dee% groan and &!th an !)%at!ent gesture he %ut out the l!ght. ,nstantly , )ade )y &ay back to )y roo)' and ery shortly ca)e the stealthy ste%s %ass!ng once )ore u%on the!r return journey. ?ong after&ards &hen , had fallen !nto a l!ght slee% , heard a key turn so)e&here !n a lock' but , could not tell &hence the sound ca)e. *hat !t all )eans , cannot guess' but there !s so)e secret bus!ness go!ng on !n th!s house of gloo) &h!ch sooner or later &e shall get to the botto) of. , do not trouble you &!th )y theor!es' for you asked )e to furn!sh you only &!th facts. , ha e had a long talk &!th 0!r Henry th!s )orn!ng' and &e ha e )ade a %lan of ca)%a!gn founded u%on )y obser at!ons of last n!ght. , &!ll not s%eak about !t just no&' but !t should )ake )y next re%ort !nterest!ng read!ng.

 Cha%ter 2 The ?!ght u%on the >oor 70econd /e%ort of Dr. *atson9 Basker !lle Hall' 5ct. 1$th. >: DEA/ H5?>E04 ,f , &as co)%elled to lea e you &!thout )uch ne&s dur!ng the early days of )y )!ss!on you )ust ackno&ledge that , a) )ak!ng u% for lost t!)e' and that e ents are no& cro&d!ng th!ck and fast u%on us. ,n )y last re%ort , ended u%on )y to% note &!th Barry)ore at the &!ndo&' and no& , ha e Tu!te a budget already &h!ch &!ll' unless , a) )uch )!staken' cons!derably sur%r!se you. Th!ngs ha e taken a turn &h!ch , could not ha e ant!c!%ated. ,n so)e &ays they ha e &!th!n the last fortyDe!ght hours beco)e )uch clearer and !n so)e &ays they ha e beco)e )ore co)%l!cated. But , &!ll tell you all and you shall judge for yourself. Before breakfast on the )orn!ng follo&!ng )y ad enture , &ent do&n the corr!dor and exa)!ned the roo) !n &h!ch Barry)ore had been on the n!ght before. The &estern &!ndo& through &h!ch he had stared so !ntently has' , not!ced' one %ecul!ar!ty abo e all other &!ndo&s !n the houseDD!t co))ands the nearest outlook on to the )oor. There !s an o%en!ng bet&een t&o trees &h!ch enables one fro) th!s %o!nt of !e& to look r!ght do&n u%on !t' &h!le fro) all the other &!ndo&s !t !s only a d!stant gl!)%se &h!ch can be obta!ned. ,t follo&s' therefore' that Barry)ore' s!nce only th!s &!ndo& &ould ser e the %ur%ose' )ust ha e been look!ng out for so)eth!ng or so)ebody u%on the )oor. The n!ght &as ery dark' so that , can hardly !)ag!ne ho& he could ha e ho%ed to see anyone. ,t had struck )e that !t &as %oss!ble that so)e lo e !ntr!gue &as on foot. That &ould ha e accounted for h!s stealthy )o e)ents and also for the uneas!ness of h!s &!fe. The )an !s a str!k!ngDlook!ng fello&' ery &ell eTu!%%ed to steal the heart of a country g!rl' so that th!s theory see)ed to ha e so)eth!ng to su%%ort !t. That o%en!ng of the door &h!ch , had heard after , had returned to )y roo) )!ght )ean that he had gone out to kee% so)e clandest!ne a%%o!nt)ent. 0o , reasoned &!th )yself !n the )orn!ng' and , tell you the d!rect!on of )y sus%!c!ons' ho&e er )uch the result )ay ha e sho&n that they &ere unfounded. But &hate er the true ex%lanat!on of Barry)ore's )o e)ents )!ght be' , felt that the res%ons!b!l!ty of kee%!ng the) to )yself unt!l , could ex%la!n the) &as )ore than , could bear. , had an !nter !e& &!th the baronet !n h!s study after breakfast' and , told h!) all that , had seen. He &as less sur%r!sed than , had ex%ected. L, kne& that Barry)ore &alked about n!ghts' and , had a )!nd to s%eak to h!) about !t'L sa!d he. LT&o or three t!)es , ha e heard h!s ste%s !n the %assage' co)!ng and go!ng' just about the hour you na)e.L LPerha%s then he %ays a !s!t e ery n!ght to that %art!cular

&!ndo&'L , suggested. LPerha%s he does. ,f so' &e should be able to shado& h!) and see &hat !t !s that he !s after. , &onder &hat your fr!end Hol)es &ould do !f he &ere here.L L, bel!e e that he &ould do exactly &hat you no& suggest'L sa!d ,. LHe &ould follo& Barry)ore and see &hat he d!d.L LThen &e shall do !t together.L LBut surely he &ould hear us.L LThe )an !s rather deaf' and !n any case &e )ust take our chance of that. *e'll s!t u% !n )y roo) ton!ght and &a!t unt!l he %asses.L 0!r Henry rubbed h!s hands &!th %leasure' and !t &as e !dent that he ha!led the ad enture as a rel!ef to h!s so)e&hat Tu!et l!fe u%on the )oor. The baronet has been !n co))un!cat!on &!th the arch!tect &ho %re%ared the %lans for 0!r Charles' and &!th a contractor fro) ?ondon' so that &e )ay ex%ect great changes to beg!n here soon. There ha e been decorators and furn!shers u% fro) Ply)outh' and !t !s e !dent that our fr!end has large !deas and )eans to s%are no %a!ns or ex%ense to restore the grandeur of h!s fa)!ly. *hen the house !s reno ated and refurn!shed' all that he &!ll need &!ll be a &!fe to )ake !t co)%lete. Bet&een oursel es there are %retty clear s!gns that th!s &!ll not be &ant!ng !f the lady !s &!ll!ng' for , ha e seldo) seen a )an )ore !nfatuated &!th a &o)an than he !s &!th our beaut!ful ne!ghbour' >!ss 0ta%leton. And yet the course of true lo e does not run Tu!te as s)oothly as one &ould under the c!rcu)stances ex%ect. Today' for exa)%le' !ts surface &as broken by a ery unex%ected r!%%le' &h!ch has caused our fr!end cons!derable %er%lex!ty and annoyance. After the con ersat!on &h!ch , ha e Tuoted about Barry)ore' 0!r Henry %ut on h!s hat and %re%ared to go out. As a )atter of course , d!d the sa)e. L*hat' are you co)!ng' *atsonRL he asked' look!ng at )e !n a cur!ous &ay. LThat de%ends on &hether you are go!ng on the )oor'L sa!d ,. L:es' , a).L L*ell' you kno& &hat )y !nstruct!ons are. , a) sorry to !ntrude' but you heard ho& earnestly Hol)es !ns!sted that , should not lea e you' and es%ec!ally that you should not go alone u%on the )oor.L 0!r Henry %ut h!s hand u%on )y shoulder &!th a %leasant s)!le. L>y dear fello&'L sa!d he' LHol)es' &!th all h!s &!sdo)' d!d not foresee so)e th!ngs &h!ch ha e ha%%ened s!nce , ha e been on the )oor. :ou understand )eR , a) sure that you are the last )an !n the &orld &ho &ould &!sh to be a s%o!lDs%ort. , )ust go out alone.L ,t %ut )e !n a )ost a&k&ard %os!t!on. , &as at a loss &hat to

say or &hat to do' and before , had )ade u% )y )!nd he %!cked u% h!s cane and &as gone. But &hen , ca)e to th!nk the )atter o er )y consc!ence re%roached )e b!tterly for ha !ng on any %retext allo&ed h!) to go out of )y s!ght. , !)ag!ned &hat )y feel!ngs &ould be !f , had to return to you and to confess that so)e )!sfortune had occurred through )y d!sregard for your !nstruct!ons. , assure you )y cheeks flushed at the ery thought. ,t )!ght not e en no& be too late to o ertake h!)' so , set off at once !n the d!rect!on of >err!%!t House. , hurr!ed along the road at the to% of )y s%eed &!thout see!ng anyth!ng of 0!r Henry' unt!l , ca)e to the %o!nt &here the )oor %ath branches off. There' fear!ng that %erha%s , had co)e !n the &rong d!rect!on after all' , )ounted a h!ll fro) &h!ch , could co))and a !e&DDthe sa)e h!ll &h!ch !s cut !nto the dark Tuarry. Thence , sa& h!) at once. He &as on the )oor %ath about a Tuarter of a )!le off' and a lady &as by h!s s!de &ho could only be >!ss 0ta%leton. ,t &as clear that there &as already an understand!ng bet&een the) and that they had )et by a%%o!nt)ent. They &ere &alk!ng slo&ly along !n dee% con ersat!on' and , sa& her )ak!ng Tu!ck l!ttle )o e)ents of her hands as !f she &ere ery earnest !n &hat she &as say!ng' &h!le he l!stened !ntently' and once or t&!ce shook h!s head !n strong d!ssent. , stood a)ong the rocks &atch!ng the)' ery )uch %u;;led as to &hat , should do next. To follo& the) and break !nto the!r !nt!)ate con ersat!on see)ed to be an outrage' and yet )y clear duty &as ne er for an !nstant to let h!) out of )y s!ght. To act the s%y u%on a fr!end &as a hateful task. 0t!ll' , could see no better course than to obser e h!) fro) the h!ll' and to clear )y consc!ence by confess!ng to h!) after&ards &hat , had done. ,t !s true that !f any sudden danger had threatened h!) , &as too far a&ay to be of use' and yet , a) sure that you &!ll agree &!th )e that the %os!t!on &as ery d!ff!cult' and that there &as noth!ng )ore &h!ch , could do. 5ur fr!end' 0!r Henry' and the lady had halted on the %ath and &ere stand!ng dee%ly absorbed !n the!r con ersat!on' &hen , &as suddenly a&are that , &as not the only &!tness of the!r !nter !e&. A &!s% of green float!ng !n the a!r caught )y eye' and another glance sho&ed )e that !t &as carr!ed on a st!ck by a )an &ho &as )o !ng a)ong the broken ground. ,t &as 0ta%leton &!th h!s butterflyDnet. He &as ery )uch closer to the %a!r than , &as' and he a%%eared to be )o !ng !n the!r d!rect!on. At th!s !nstant 0!r Henry suddenly dre& >!ss 0ta%leton to h!s s!de. H!s ar) &as round her' but !t see)ed to )e that she &as stra!n!ng a&ay fro) h!) &!th her face a erted. He stoo%ed h!s head to hers' and she ra!sed one hand as !f !n %rotest. <ext )o)ent , sa& the) s%r!ng a%art and turn hurr!edly round. 0ta%leton &as the cause of the !nterru%t!on. He &as runn!ng &!ldly to&ards the)' h!s absurd net dangl!ng beh!nd h!). He gest!culated and al)ost danced &!th exc!te)ent !n front of the lo ers. *hat the scene )eant , could not !)ag!ne' but !t see)ed to )e that 0ta%leton &as abus!ng 0!r Henry' &ho offered ex%lanat!ons' &h!ch beca)e )ore angry as the other refused to acce%t the). The lady stood by !n haughty s!lence. -!nally 0ta%leton turned u%on h!s heel and beckoned !n a %ere)%tory &ay to h!s s!ster' &ho' after an !rresolute glance at 0!r Henry' &alked off by the s!de of her brother. The natural!st's angry gestures sho&ed that the lady &as !ncluded !n h!s d!s%leasure. The baronet stood for a )!nute look!ng after the)' and then he

&alked slo&ly back the &ay that he had co)e' h!s head hang!ng' the ery %!cture of deject!on. *hat all th!s )eant , could not !)ag!ne' but , &as dee%ly asha)ed to ha e &!tnessed so !nt!)ate a scene &!thout )y fr!end's kno&ledge. , ran do&n the h!ll therefore and )et the baronet at the botto). H!s face &as flushed &!th anger and h!s bro&s &ere &r!nkled' l!ke one &ho !s at h!s &!t's ends &hat to do. LHalloa' *atson( *here ha e you dro%%ed fro)RL sa!d he. L:ou don't )ean to say that you ca)e after )e !n s%!te of allRL , ex%la!ned e eryth!ng to h!)4 ho& , had found !t !)%oss!ble to re)a!n beh!nd' ho& , had follo&ed h!)' and ho& , had &!tnessed all that had occurred. -or an !nstant h!s eyes bla;ed at )e' but )y frankness d!sar)ed h!s anger' and he broke at last !nto a rather rueful laugh. L:ou &ould ha e thought the )!ddle of that %ra!r!e a fa!rly safe %lace for a )an to be %r! ate'L sa!d he' Lbut' by thunder' the &hole countrys!de see)s to ha e been out to see )e do )y &oo!ngDD and a )!ghty %oor &oo!ng at that( *here had you engaged a seatRL L, &as on that h!ll.L LUu!te !n the back ro&' ehR But her brother &as &ell u% to the front. D!d you see h!) co)e out on usRL L:es' , d!d.L LD!d he e er str!ke you as be!ng cra;yDDth!s brother of hersRL L, can't say that he e er d!d.L L, dare say not. , al&ays thought h!) sane enough unt!l today' but you can take !t fro) )e that e!ther he or , ought to be !n a stra!tjacket. *hat's the )atter &!th )e' anyho&R :ou' e l! ed near )e for so)e &eeks' *atson. Tell )e stra!ght' no&( ,s there anyth!ng that &ould %re ent )e fro) )ak!ng a good husband to a &o)an that , lo edRL L, should say not.L LHe can't object to )y &orldly %os!t!on' so !t )ust be )yself that he has th!s do&n on. *hat has he aga!nst )eR , ne er hurt )an or &o)an !n )y l!fe that , kno& of. And yet he &ould not so )uch as let )e touch the t!%s of her f!ngers.L LD!d he say soRL LThat' and a deal )ore. , tell you' *atson' ,' e only kno&n her these fe& &eeks' but fro) the f!rst , just felt that she &as )ade for )e' and she' tooDDshe &as ha%%y &hen she &as &!th )e' and that ,'ll s&ear. There's a l!ght !n a &o)an's eyes that s%eaks louder than &ords. But he has ne er let us get together and !t &as only today for the f!rst t!)e that , sa& a chance of ha !ng a fe& &ords &!th her alone. 0he &as glad to )eet )e' but &hen she d!d !t &as not lo e that she &ould talk about' and she &ouldn't ha e let )e talk about !t e!ther !f she could ha e sto%%ed !t. 0he ke%t

co)!ng back to !t that th!s &as a %lace of danger' and that she &ould ne er be ha%%y unt!l , had left !t. , told her that s!nce , had seen her , &as !n no hurry to lea e !t' and that !f she really &anted )e to go' the only &ay to &ork !t &as for her to arrange to go &!th )e. *!th that , offered !n as )any &ords to )arry her' but before she could ans&er' do&n ca)e th!s brother of hers' runn!ng at us &!th a face on h!) l!ke a )ad)an. He &as just &h!te &!th rage' and those l!ght eyes of h!s &ere bla;!ng &!th fury. *hat &as , do!ng &!th the ladyR Ho& dared , offer her attent!ons &h!ch &ere d!stasteful to herR D!d , th!nk that because , &as a baronet , could do &hat , l!kedR ,f he had not been her brother , should ha e kno&n better ho& to ans&er h!). As !t &as , told h!) that )y feel!ngs to&ards h!s s!ster &ere such as , &as not asha)ed of' and that , ho%ed that she )!ght honour )e by beco)!ng )y &!fe. That see)ed to )ake the )atter no better' so then , lost )y te)%er too' and , ans&ered h!) rather )ore hotly than , should %erha%s' cons!der!ng that she &as stand!ng by. 0o !t ended by h!s go!ng off &!th her' as you sa&' and here a) , as badly %u;;led a )an as any !n th!s county. Sust tell )e &hat !t all )eans' *atson' and ,'ll o&e you )ore than e er , can ho%e to %ay.L , tr!ed one or t&o ex%lanat!ons' but' !ndeed' , &as co)%letely %u;;led )yself. 5ur fr!end's t!tle' h!s fortune' h!s age' h!s character' and h!s a%%earance are all !n h!s fa our' and , kno& noth!ng aga!nst h!) unless !t be th!s dark fate &h!ch runs !n h!s fa)!ly. That h!s ad ances should be rejected so brusTuely &!thout any reference to the lady's o&n &!shes and that the lady should acce%t the s!tuat!on &!thout %rotest !s ery a)a;!ng. Ho&e er' our conjectures &ere set at rest by a !s!t fro) 0ta%leton h!)self that ery afternoon. He had co)e to offer a%olog!es for h!s rudeness of the )orn!ng' and after a long %r! ate !nter !e& &!th 0!r Henry !n h!s study the u%shot of the!r con ersat!on &as that the breach !s Tu!te healed' and that &e are to d!ne at >err!%!t House next -r!day as a s!gn of !t. L, don't say no& that he !sn't a cra;y )an'L sa!d 0!r HenryK L, can't forget the look !n h!s eyes &hen he ran at )e th!s )orn!ng' but , )ust allo& that no )an could )ake a )ore handso)e a%ology than he has done.L LD!d he g! e any ex%lanat!on of h!s conductRL LH!s s!ster !s e eryth!ng !n h!s l!fe' he says. That !s natural enough' and , a) glad that he should understand her alue. They ha e al&ays been together' and accord!ng to h!s account he has been a ery lonely )an &!th only her as a co)%an!on' so that the thought of los!ng her &as really terr!ble to h!). He had not understood' he sa!d' that , &as beco)!ng attached to her' but &hen he sa& &!th h!s o&n eyes that !t &as really so' and that she )!ght be taken a&ay fro) h!)' !t ga e h!) such a shock that for a t!)e he &as not res%ons!ble for &hat he sa!d or d!d. He &as ery sorry for all that had %assed' and he recogn!;ed ho& fool!sh and ho& self!sh !t &as that he should !)ag!ne that he could hold a beaut!ful &o)an l!ke h!s s!ster to h!)self for her &hole l!fe. ,f she had to lea e h!) he had rather !t &as to a ne!ghbour l!ke )yself than to anyone else. But !n any case !t &as a blo& to h!) and !t &ould take h!) so)e t!)e before he could %re%are h!)self to )eet !t. He &ould &!thdra& all o%%os!t!on u%on

h!s %art !f , &ould %ro)!se for three )onths to let the )atter rest and to be content &!th cult! at!ng the lady's fr!endsh!% dur!ng that t!)e &!thout cla!)!ng her lo e. Th!s , %ro)!sed' and so the )atter rests.L 0o there !s one of our s)all )yster!es cleared u%. ,t !s so)eth!ng to ha e touched botto) any&here !n th!s bog !n &h!ch &e are flounder!ng. *e kno& no& &hy 0ta%leton looked &!th d!sfa our u%on h!s s!ster's su!torDDe en &hen that su!tor &as so el!g!ble a one as 0!r Henry. And no& , %ass on to another thread &h!ch , ha e extr!cated out of the tangled ske!n' the )ystery of the sobs !n the n!ght' of the tearDsta!ned face of >rs. Barry)ore' of the secret journey of the butler to the &estern latt!ce &!ndo&. Congratulate )e' )y dear Hol)es' and tell )e that , ha e not d!sa%%o!nted you as an agentDDthat you do not regret the conf!dence &h!ch you sho&ed !n )e &hen you sent )e do&n. All these th!ngs ha e by one n!ght's &ork been thoroughly cleared. , ha e sa!d Lby one n!ght's &ork'L but' !n truth' !t &as by t&o n!ghts' &ork' for on the f!rst &e dre& ent!rely blank. , sat u% &!th 0!r Henry !n h!s roo)s unt!l nearly three o'clock !n the )orn!ng' but no sound of any sort d!d &e hear exce%t the ch!)!ng clock u%on the sta!rs. ,t &as a )ost )elancholy !g!l and ended by each of us fall!ng aslee% !n our cha!rs. -ortunately &e &ere not d!scouraged' and &e deter)!ned to try aga!n. The next n!ght &e lo&ered the la)% and sat s)ok!ng c!garettes &!thout )ak!ng the least sound. ,t &as !ncred!ble ho& slo&ly the hours cra&led by' and yet &e &ere hel%ed through !t by the sa)e sort of %at!ent !nterest &h!ch the hunter )ust feel as he &atches the tra% !nto &h!ch he ho%es the ga)e )ay &ander. 5ne struck' and t&o' and &e had al)ost for the second t!)e g! en !t u% !n des%a!r &hen !n an !nstant &e both sat bolt u%r!ght !n our cha!rs &!th all our &eary senses keenly on the alert once )ore. *e had heard the creak of a ste% !n the %assage. .ery stealth!ly &e heard !t %ass along unt!l !t d!ed a&ay !n the d!stance. Then the baronet gently o%ened h!s door and &e set out !n %ursu!t. Already our )an had gone round the gallery and the corr!dor &as all !n darkness. 0oftly &e stole along unt!l &e had co)e !nto the other &!ng. *e &ere just !n t!)e to catch a gl!)%se of the tall' blackDbearded f!gure' h!s shoulders rounded as he t!%toed do&n the %assage. Then he %assed through the sa)e door as before' and the l!ght of the candle fra)ed !t !n the darkness and shot one s!ngle yello& bea) across the gloo) of the corr!dor. *e shuffled caut!ously to&ards !t' try!ng e ery %lank before &e dared to %ut our &hole &e!ght u%on !t. *e had taken the %recaut!on of lea !ng our boots beh!nd us' but' e en so' the old boards sna%%ed and creaked beneath our tread. 0o)et!)es !t see)ed !)%oss!ble that he should fa!l to hear our a%%roach. Ho&e er' the )an !s fortunately rather deaf' and he &as ent!rely %reoccu%!ed !n that &h!ch he &as do!ng. *hen at last &e reached the door and %ee%ed through &e found h!) crouch!ng at the &!ndo&' candle !n hand' h!s &h!te' !ntent face %ressed aga!nst the %ane' exactly as , had seen h!) t&o n!ghts before. *e had arranged no %lan of ca)%a!gn' but the baronet !s a )an to &ho) the )ost d!rect &ay !s al&ays the )ost natural. He &alked !nto the roo)' and as he d!d so Barry)ore s%rang u% fro) the &!ndo& &!th a shar% h!ss of h!s breath and stood' l! !d and

tre)bl!ng' before us. H!s dark eyes' glar!ng out of the &h!te )ask of h!s face' &ere full of horror and aston!sh)ent as he ga;ed fro) 0!r Henry to )e. L*hat are you do!ng here' Barry)oreRL L<oth!ng' s!r.L H!s ag!tat!on &as so great that he could hardly s%eak' and the shado&s s%rang u% and do&n fro) the shak!ng of h!s candle. L,t &as the &!ndo&' s!r. , go round at n!ght to see that they are fastened.L L5n the second floorRL L:es' s!r' all the &!ndo&s.L L?ook here' Barry)ore'L sa!d 0!r Henry sternly' L&e ha e )ade u% our )!nds to ha e the truth out of you' so !t &!ll sa e you trouble to tell !t sooner rather than later. Co)e' no&( <o l!es( *hat &ere you do!ng at that &!ndo&RL The fello& looked at us !n a hel%less &ay' and he &rung h!s hands together l!ke one &ho !s !n the last extre)!ty of doubt and )!sery. L, &as do!ng no har)' s!r. , &as hold!ng a candle to the &!ndo&.L LAnd &hy &ere you hold!ng a candle to the &!ndo&RL LDon't ask )e' 0!r HenryDDdon't ask )e( , g! e you )y &ord' s!r' that !t !s not )y secret' and that , cannot tell !t. ,f !t concerned no one but )yself , &ould not try to kee% !t fro) you.L A sudden !dea occurred to )e' and , took the candle fro) the tre)bl!ng hand of the butler. LHe )ust ha e been hold!ng !t as a s!gnal'L sa!d ,. L?et us see !f there !s any ans&er.L , held !t as he had done' and stared out !nto the darkness of the n!ght. .aguely , could d!scern the black bank of the trees and the l!ghter ex%anse of the )oor' for the )oon &as beh!nd the clouds. And then , ga e a cry of exultat!on' for a t!ny %!n%o!nt of yello& l!ght had suddenly transf!xed the dark e!l' and glo&ed stead!ly !n the centre of the black sTuare fra)ed by the &!ndo&. LThere !t !s(L , cr!ed. L<o' no' s!r' !t !s noth!ngDDnoth!ng at all(L the butler broke !nK L, assure you' s!rDDL L>o e your l!ght across the &!ndo&' *atson(L cr!ed the baronet. L0ee' the other )o es also( <o&' you rascal' do you deny that !t !s a s!gnalR Co)e' s%eak u%( *ho !s your confederate out yonder' and &hat !s th!s cons%!racy that !s go!ng onRL The )an's face beca)e o%enly def!ant. L,t !s )y bus!ness' and not yours. , &!ll not tell.L LThen you lea e )y e)%loy)ent r!ght a&ay.L L.ery good' s!r. ,f , )ust , )ust.L

 LAnd you go !n d!sgrace. By thunder' you )ay &ell be asha)ed of yourself. :our fa)!ly has l! ed &!th )!ne for o er a hundred years under th!s roof' and here , f!nd you dee% !n so)e dark %lot aga!nst )e.L L<o' no' s!rK no' not aga!nst you(L ,t &as a &o)an's o!ce' and >rs. Barry)ore' %aler and )ore horrorstruck than her husband' &as stand!ng at the door. Her bulky f!gure !n a sha&l and sk!rt )!ght ha e been co)!c &ere !t not for the !ntens!ty of feel!ng u%on her face. L*e ha e to go' El!;a. Th!s !s the end of !t. :ou can %ack our th!ngs'L sa!d the butler. L5h' Sohn' Sohn' ha e , brought you to th!sR ,t !s )y do!ng' 0!r HenryDDall )!ne. He has done noth!ng exce%t for )y sake and because , asked h!).L L0%eak out' then( *hat does !t )eanRL L>y unha%%y brother !s star !ng on the )oor. *e cannot let h!) %er!sh at our ery gates. The l!ght !s a s!gnal to h!) that food !s ready for h!)' and h!s l!ght out yonder !s to sho& the s%ot to &h!ch to br!ng !t.L LThen your brother !sDDL LThe esca%ed con !ct' s!rDD0elden' the cr!)!nal.L LThat's the truth' s!r'L sa!d Barry)ore. L, sa!d that !t &as not )y secret and that , could not tell !t to you. But no& you ha e heard !t' and you &!ll see that !f there &as a %lot !t &as not aga!nst you.L Th!s' then' &as the ex%lanat!on of the stealthy ex%ed!t!ons at n!ght and the l!ght at the &!ndo&. 0!r Henry and , both stared at the &o)an !n a)a;e)ent. *as !t %oss!ble that th!s stol!dly res%ectable %erson &as of the sa)e blood as one of the )ost notor!ous cr!)!nals !n the countryR L:es' s!r' )y na)e &as 0elden' and he !s )y younger brother. *e hu)oured h!) too )uch &hen he &as a lad and ga e h!) h!s o&n &ay !n e eryth!ng unt!l he ca)e to th!nk that the &orld &as )ade for h!s %leasure' and that he could do &hat he l!ked !n !t. Then as he gre& older he )et &!cked co)%an!ons' and the de !l entered !nto h!) unt!l he broke )y )other's heart and dragged our na)e !n the d!rt. -ro) cr!)e to cr!)e he sank lo&er and lo&er unt!l !t !s only the )ercy of God &h!ch has snatched h!) fro) the scaffoldK but to )e' s!r' he &as al&ays the l!ttle curlyDheaded boy that , had nursed and %layed &!th as an elder s!ster &ould. That &as &hy he broke %r!son' s!r. He kne& that , &as here and that &e could not refuse to hel% h!). *hen he dragged h!)self here one n!ght' &eary and star !ng' &!th the &arders hard at h!s heels' &hat could &e doR *e took h!) !n and fed h!) and cared for h!). Then you returned' s!r' and )y brother thought he &ould be safer on the )oor than any&here else unt!l the hue and cry &as o er' so he lay !n h!d!ng there. But e ery second n!ght &e )ade sure !f he &as st!ll there by %utt!ng a l!ght !n the &!ndo&'

and !f there &as an ans&er )y husband took out so)e bread and )eat to h!). E ery day &e ho%ed that he &as gone' but as long as he &as there &e could not desert h!). That !s the &hole truth' as , a) an honest Chr!st!an &o)an and you &!ll see that !f there !s bla)e !n the )atter !t does not l!e &!th )y husband but &!th )e' for &hose sake he has done all that he has.L The &o)an's &ords ca)e &!th an !ntense earnestness &h!ch carr!ed con !ct!on &!th the). L,s th!s true' Barry)oreRL L:es' 0!r Henry. E ery &ord of !t.L L*ell' , cannot bla)e you for stand!ng by your o&n &!fe. -orget &hat , ha e sa!d. Go to your roo)' you t&o' and &e shall talk further about th!s )atter !n the )orn!ng.L *hen they &ere gone &e looked out of the &!ndo& aga!n. 0!r Henry had flung !t o%en' and the cold n!ght &!nd beat !n u%on our faces. -ar a&ay !n the black d!stance there st!ll glo&ed that one t!ny %o!nt of yello& l!ght. L, &onder he dares'L sa!d 0!r Henry. L,t )ay be so %laced as to be only !s!ble fro) here.L L.ery l!kely. Ho& far do you th!nk !t !sRL L5ut by the Cleft Tor' , th!nk.L L<ot )ore than a )!le or t&o off.L LHardly that.L L*ell' !t cannot be far !f Barry)ore had to carry out the food to !t. And he !s &a!t!ng' th!s !lla!n' bes!de that candle. By thunder' *atson' , a) go!ng out to take that )an(L The sa)e thought had crossed )y o&n )!nd. ,t &as not as !f the Barry)ores had taken us !nto the!r conf!dence. The!r secret had been forced fro) the). The )an &as a danger to the co))un!ty' an un)!t!gated scoundrel for &ho) there &as ne!ther %!ty nor excuse. *e &ere only do!ng our duty !n tak!ng th!s chance of %utt!ng h!) back &here he could do no har). *!th h!s brutal and !olent nature' others &ould ha e to %ay the %r!ce !f &e held our hands. Any n!ght' for exa)%le' our ne!ghbours the 0ta%letons )!ght be attacked by h!)' and !t )ay ha e been the thought of th!s &h!ch )ade 0!r Henry so keen u%on the ad enture. L, &!ll co)e'L sa!d ,. LThen get your re ol er and %ut on your boots. The sooner &e start the better' as the fello& )ay %ut out h!s l!ght and be off.L ,n f! e )!nutes &e &ere outs!de the door' start!ng u%on our ex%ed!t!on. *e hurr!ed through the dark shrubbery' a)!d the dull )oan!ng of the autu)n &!nd and the rustle of the fall!ng lea es. The n!ght a!r &as hea y &!th the s)ell of da)% and

decay. <o& and aga!n the )oon %ee%ed out for an !nstant' but clouds &ere dr! !ng o er the face of the sky' and just as &e ca)e out on the )oor a th!n ra!n began to fall. The l!ght st!ll burned stead!ly !n front. LAre you ar)edRL , asked. L, ha e a hunt!ngDcro%.L L*e )ust close !n on h!) ra%!dly' for he !s sa!d to be a des%erate fello&. *e shall take h!) by sur%r!se and ha e h!) at our )ercy before he can res!st.L L, say' *atson'L sa!d the baronet' L&hat &ould Hol)es say to th!sR Ho& about that hour of darkness !n &h!ch the %o&er of e !l !s exaltedRL As !f !n ans&er to h!s &ords there rose suddenly out of the ast gloo) of the )oor that strange cry &h!ch , had already heard u%on the borders of the great Gr!)%en >!re. ,t ca)e &!th the &!nd through the s!lence of the n!ght' a long' dee% )utter' then a r!s!ng ho&l' and then the sad )oan !n &h!ch !t d!ed a&ay. Aga!n and aga!n !t sounded' the &hole a!r throbb!ng &!th !t' str!dent' &!ld' and )enac!ng. The baronet caught )y slee e and h!s face gl!))ered &h!te through the darkness. L>y God' &hat's that' *atsonRL L, don't kno&. ,t's a sound they ha e on the )oor. , heard !t once before.L ,t d!ed a&ay' and an absolute s!lence closed !n u%on us. *e stood stra!n!ng our ears' but noth!ng ca)e. L*atson'L sa!d the baronet' L!t &as the cry of a hound.L >y blood ran cold !n )y e!ns' for there &as a break !n h!s o!ce &h!ch told of the sudden horror &h!ch had se!;ed h!). L*hat do they call th!s soundRL he asked. L*hoRL LThe folk on the countrys!de.L L5h' they are !gnorant %eo%le. *hy should you )!nd &hat they call !tRL LTell )e' *atson. *hat do they say of !tRL , hes!tated but could not esca%e the Tuest!on. LThey say !t !s the cry of the Hound of the Basker !lles.L He groaned and &as s!lent for a fe& )o)ents. LA hound !t &as'L he sa!d at last' Lbut !t see)ed to co)e fro) )!les a&ay' o er yonder' , th!nk.L

L,t &as hard to say &hence !t ca)e.L L,t rose and fell &!th the &!nd. ,sn't that the d!rect!on of the great Gr!)%en >!reRL L:es' !t !s.L L*ell' !t &as u% there. Co)e no&' *atson' d!dn't you th!nk yourself that !t &as the cry of a houndR , a) not a ch!ld. :ou need not fear to s%eak the truth.L L0ta%leton &as &!th )e &hen , heard !t last. He sa!d that !t )!ght be the call!ng of a strange b!rd.L L<o' no' !t &as a hound. >y God' can there be so)e truth !n all these stor!esR ,s !t %oss!ble that , a) really !n danger fro) so dark a causeR :ou don't bel!e e !t' do you' *atsonRL L<o' no.L LAnd yet !t &as one th!ng to laugh about !t !n ?ondon' and !t !s another to stand out here !n the darkness of the )oor and to hear such a cry as that. And )y uncle( There &as the foot%r!nt of the hound bes!de h!) as he lay. ,t all f!ts together. , don't th!nk that , a) a co&ard' *atson' but that sound see)ed to free;e )y ery blood. -eel )y hand(L ,t &as as cold as a block of )arble. L:ou'll be all r!ght to)orro&.L L, don't th!nk ,'ll get that cry out of )y head. *hat do you ad !se that &e do no&RL L0hall &e turn backRL L<o' by thunderK &e ha e co)e out to get our )an' and &e &!ll do !t. *e after the con !ct' and a hellDhound' as l!kely as not' after us. Co)e on( *e'll see !t through !f all the f!ends of the %!t &ere loose u%on the )oor.L *e stu)bled slo&ly along !n the darkness' &!th the black loo) of the craggy h!lls around us' and the yello& s%eck of l!ght burn!ng stead!ly !n front. There !s noth!ng so dece%t! e as the d!stance of a l!ght u%on a %!tchDdark n!ght' and so)et!)es the gl!))er see)ed to be far a&ay u%on the hor!;on and so)et!)es !t )!ght ha e been &!th!n a fe& yards of us. But at last &e could see &hence !t ca)e' and then &e kne& that &e &ere !ndeed ery close. A gutter!ng candle &as stuck !n a cre !ce of the rocks &h!ch flanked !t on each s!de so as to kee% the &!nd fro) !t and also to %re ent !t fro) be!ng !s!ble' sa e !n the d!rect!on of Basker !lle Hall. A boulder of gran!te concealed our a%%roach' and crouch!ng beh!nd !t &e ga;ed o er !t at the s!gnal l!ght. ,t &as strange to see th!s s!ngle candle burn!ng there !n the )!ddle of the )oor' &!th no s!gn of l!fe near !tDDjust the one stra!ght yello& fla)e and the glea) of the rock on each s!de of !t. L*hat shall &e do no&RL &h!s%ered 0!r Henry.

L*a!t here. He )ust be near h!s l!ght. ?et us see !f &e can get a gl!)%se of h!).L The &ords &ere hardly out of )y )outh &hen &e both sa& h!). 5 er the rocks' !n the cre !ce of &h!ch the candle burned' there &as thrust out an e !l yello& face' a terr!ble an!)al face' all sea)ed and scored &!th !le %ass!ons. -oul &!th )!re' &!th a br!stl!ng beard' and hung &!th )atted ha!r' !t )!ght &ell ha e belonged to one of those old sa ages &ho d&elt !n the burro&s on the h!lls!des. The l!ght beneath h!) &as reflected !n h!s s)all' cunn!ng eyes &h!ch %eered f!ercely to r!ght and left through the darkness l!ke a crafty and sa age an!)al &ho has heard the ste%s of the hunters. 0o)eth!ng had e !dently aroused h!s sus%!c!ons. ,t )ay ha e been that Barry)ore had so)e %r! ate s!gnal &h!ch &e had neglected to g! e' or the fello& )ay ha e had so)e other reason for th!nk!ng that all &as not &ell' but , could read h!s fears u%on h!s &!cked face. Any !nstant he )!ght dash out the l!ght and an!sh !n the darkness. , s%rang for&ard therefore' and 0!r Henry d!d the sa)e. At the sa)e )o)ent the con !ct screa)ed out a curse at us and hurled a rock &h!ch s%l!ntered u% aga!nst the boulder &h!ch had sheltered us. , caught one gl!)%se of h!s short' sTuat' strongly bu!lt f!gure as he s%rang to h!s feet and turned to run. At the sa)e )o)ent by a lucky chance the )oon broke through the clouds. *e rushed o er the bro& of the h!ll' and there &as our )an runn!ng &!th great s%eed do&n the other s!de' s%r!ng!ng o er the stones !n h!s &ay &!th the act! !ty of a )ounta!n goat. A lucky long shot of )y re ol er )!ght ha e cr!%%led h!)' but , had brought !t only to defend )yself !f attacked and not to shoot an unar)ed )an &ho &as runn!ng a&ay. *e &ere both s&!ft runners and !n fa!rly good tra!n!ng' but &e soon found that &e had no chance of o ertak!ng h!). *e sa& h!) for a long t!)e !n the )oonl!ght unt!l he &as only a s)all s%eck )o !ng s&!ftly a)ong the boulders u%on the s!de of a d!stant h!ll. *e ran and ran unt!l &e &ere co)%letely blo&n' but the s%ace bet&een us gre& e er &!der. -!nally &e sto%%ed and sat %ant!ng on t&o rocks' &h!le &e &atched h!) d!sa%%ear!ng !n the d!stance. And !t &as at th!s )o)ent that there occurred a )ost strange and unex%ected th!ng. *e had r!sen fro) our rocks and &ere turn!ng to go ho)e' ha !ng abandoned the ho%eless chase. The )oon &as lo& u%on the r!ght' and the jagged %!nnacle of a gran!te tor stood u% aga!nst the lo&er cur e of !ts s!l er d!sc. There' outl!ned as black as an ebony statue on that sh!n!ng background' , sa& the f!gure of a )an u%on the tor. Do not th!nk that !t &as a delus!on' Hol)es. , assure you that , ha e ne er !n )y l!fe seen anyth!ng )ore clearly. As far as , could judge' the f!gure &as that of a tall' th!n )an. He stood &!th h!s legs a l!ttle se%arated' h!s ar)s folded' h!s head bo&ed' as !f he &ere brood!ng o er that enor)ous &!lderness of %eat and gran!te &h!ch lay before h!). He )!ght ha e been the ery s%!r!t of that terr!ble %lace. ,t &as not the con !ct. Th!s )an &as far fro) the %lace &here the latter had d!sa%%eared. Bes!des' he &as a )uch taller )an. *!th a cry of sur%r!se , %o!nted h!) out to the baronet' but !n the !nstant dur!ng &h!ch , had turned to gras% h!s ar) the )an &as gone. There &as the shar% %!nnacle of gran!te st!ll cutt!ng the lo&er edge of the )oon' but !ts %eak bore no trace of that s!lent and )ot!onless f!gure.

 , &!shed to go !n that d!rect!on and to search the tor' but !t &as so)e d!stance a&ay. The baronet's ner es &ere st!ll Tu! er!ng fro) that cry' &h!ch recalled the dark story of h!s fa)!ly' and he &as not !n the )ood for fresh ad entures. He had not seen th!s lonely )an u%on the tor and could not feel the thr!ll &h!ch h!s strange %resence and h!s co))and!ng att!tude had g! en to )e. LA &arder' no doubt'L sa!d he. LThe )oor has been th!ck &!th the) s!nce th!s fello& esca%ed.L *ell' %erha%s h!s ex%lanat!on )ay be the r!ght one' but , should l!ke to ha e so)e further %roof of !t. Today &e )ean to co))un!cate to the Pr!nceto&n %eo%le &here they should look for the!r )!ss!ng )an' but !t !s hard l!nes that &e ha e not actually had the tr!u)%h of br!ng!ng h!) back as our o&n %r!soner. 0uch are the ad entures of last n!ght' and you )ust ackno&ledge' )y dear Hol)es' that , ha e done you ery &ell !n the )atter of a re%ort. >uch of &hat , tell you !s no doubt Tu!te !rrele ant' but st!ll , feel that !t !s best that , should let you ha e all the facts and lea e you to select for yourself those &h!ch &!ll be of )ost ser !ce to you !n hel%!ng you to your conclus!ons. *e are certa!nly )ak!ng so)e %rogress. 0o far as the Barry)ores go &e ha e found the )ot! e of the!r act!ons' and that has cleared u% the s!tuat!on ery )uch. But the )oor &!th !ts )yster!es and !ts strange !nhab!tants re)a!ns as !nscrutable as e er. Perha%s !n )y next , )ay be able to thro& so)e l!ght u%on th!s also. Best of all &ould !t be !f you could co)e do&n to us. ,n any case you &!ll hear fro) )e aga!n !n the course of the next fe& days. Cha%ter 16 Extract fro) the D!ary of Dr. *atson 0o far , ha e been able to Tuote fro) the re%orts &h!ch , ha e for&arded dur!ng these early days to 0herlock Hol)es. <o&' ho&e er' , ha e arr! ed at a %o!nt !n )y narrat! e &here , a) co)%elled to abandon th!s )ethod and to trust once )ore to )y recollect!ons' a!ded by the d!ary &h!ch , ke%t at the t!)e. A fe& extracts fro) the latter &!ll carry )e on to those scenes &h!ch are !ndel!bly f!xed !n e ery deta!l u%on )y )e)ory. , %roceed' then' fro) the )orn!ng &h!ch follo&ed our abort! e chase of the con !ct and our other strange ex%er!ences u%on the )oor. 5ctober 1Nth. A dull and foggy day &!th a dr!;;le of ra!n. The house !s banked !n &!th roll!ng clouds' &h!ch r!se no& and then to sho& the dreary cur es of the )oor' &!th th!n' s!l er e!ns u%on the s!des of the h!lls' and the d!stant boulders glea)!ng &here the l!ght str!kes u%on the!r &et faces. ,t !s )elancholy outs!de and !n. The baronet !s !n a black react!on after the exc!te)ents of the n!ght. , a) consc!ous )yself of a &e!ght at )y heart and a feel!ng of !)%end!ng dangerDDe er %resent danger' &h!ch !s the )ore terr!ble because , a) unable to def!ne !t. And ha e , not cause for such a feel!ngR Cons!der the long seTuence of !nc!dents &h!ch ha e all %o!nted to so)e s!n!ster !nfluence &h!ch !s at &ork around us. There !s the death of the

last occu%ant of the Hall' fulf!ll!ng so exactly the cond!t!ons of the fa)!ly legend' and there are the re%eated re%orts fro) %easants of the a%%earance of a strange creature u%on the )oor. T&!ce , ha e &!th )y o&n ears heard the sound &h!ch rese)bled the d!stant bay!ng of a hound. ,t !s !ncred!ble' !)%oss!ble' that !t should really be outs!de the ord!nary la&s of nature. A s%ectral hound &h!ch lea es )ater!al foot)arks and f!lls the a!r &!th !ts ho&l!ng !s surely not to be thought of. 0ta%leton )ay fall !n &!th such a su%erst!t!on' and >ort!)er also' but !f , ha e one Tual!ty u%on earth !t !s co))on sense' and noth!ng &!ll %ersuade )e to bel!e e !n such a th!ng. To do so &ould be to descend to the le el of these %oor %easants' &ho are not content &!th a )ere f!end dog but )ust needs descr!be h!) &!th hellDf!re shoot!ng fro) h!s )outh and eyes. Hol)es &ould not l!sten to such fanc!es' and , a) h!s agent. But facts are facts' and , ha e t&!ce heard th!s cry!ng u%on the )oor. 0u%%ose that there &ere really so)e huge hound loose u%on !tK that &ould go far to ex%la!n e eryth!ng. But &here could such a hound l!e concealed' &here d!d !t get !ts food' &here d!d !t co)e fro)' ho& &as !t that no one sa& !t by dayR ,t )ust be confessed that the natural ex%lanat!on offers al)ost as )any d!ff!cult!es as the other. And al&ays' a%art fro) the hound' there !s the fact of the hu)an agency !n ?ondon' the )an !n the cab' and the letter &h!ch &arned 0!r Henry aga!nst the )oor. Th!s at least &as real' but !t )!ght ha e been the &ork of a %rotect!ng fr!end as eas!ly as of an ene)y. *here !s that fr!end or ene)y no&R Has he re)a!ned !n ?ondon' or has he follo&ed us do&n hereR Could heDDcould he be the stranger &ho) , sa& u%on the torR ,t !s true that , ha e had only the one glance at h!)' and yet there are so)e th!ngs to &h!ch , a) ready to s&ear. He !s no one &ho) , ha e seen do&n here' and , ha e no& )et all the ne!ghbours. The f!gure &as far taller than that of 0ta%leton' far th!nner than that of -rankland. Barry)ore !t )!ght %oss!bly ha e been' but &e had left h!) beh!nd us' and , a) certa!n that he could not ha e follo&ed us. A stranger then !s st!ll dogg!ng us' just as a stranger dogged us !n ?ondon. *e ha e ne er shaken h!) off. ,f , could lay )y hands u%on that )an' then at last &e )!ght f!nd oursel es at the end of all our d!ff!cult!es. To th!s one %ur%ose , )ust no& de ote all )y energ!es. >y f!rst !)%ulse &as to tell 0!r Henry all )y %lans. >y second and &!sest one !s to %lay )y o&n ga)e and s%eak as l!ttle as %oss!ble to anyone. He !s s!lent and d!stra!t. H!s ner es ha e been strangely shaken by that sound u%on the )oor. , &!ll say noth!ng to add to h!s anx!et!es' but , &!ll take )y o&n ste%s to atta!n )y o&n end. *e had a s)all scene th!s )orn!ng after breakfast. Barry)ore asked lea e to s%eak &!th 0!r Henry' and they &ere closeted !n h!s study so)e l!ttle t!)e. 0!tt!ng !n the b!ll!ardDroo) , )ore than once heard the sound of o!ces ra!sed' and , had a %retty good !dea &hat the %o!nt &as &h!ch &as under d!scuss!on. After a t!)e the baronet o%ened h!s door and called for )e. LBarry)ore cons!ders that he has a gr!e ance'L he sa!d. LHe th!nks that !t &as unfa!r on our %art to hunt h!s brotherD!nDla& do&n &hen he' of h!s o&n free &!ll' had told us the secret.L The butler &as stand!ng ery %ale but ery collected before us.

L, )ay ha e s%oken too &ar)ly' s!r'L sa!d he' Land !f , ha e' , a) sure that , beg your %ardon. At the sa)e t!)e' , &as ery )uch sur%r!sed &hen , heard you t&o gentle)en co)e back th!s )orn!ng and learned that you had been chas!ng 0elden. The %oor fello& has enough to f!ght aga!nst &!thout )y %utt!ng )ore u%on h!s track.L L,f you had told us of your o&n free &!ll !t &ould ha e been a d!fferent th!ng'L sa!d the baronet' Lyou only told us' or rather your &!fe only told us' &hen !t &as forced fro) you and you could not hel% yourself.L L, d!dn't th!nk you &ould ha e taken ad antage of !t' 0!r HenryDD !ndeed , d!dn't.L LThe )an !s a %ubl!c danger. There are lonely houses scattered o er the )oor' and he !s a fello& &ho &ould st!ck at noth!ng. :ou only &ant to get a gl!)%se of h!s face to see that. ?ook at >r. 0ta%leton's house' for exa)%le' &!th no one but h!)self to defend !t. There's no safety for anyone unt!l he !s under lock and key.L LHe'll break !nto no house' s!r. , g! e you )y sole)n &ord u%on that. But he &!ll ne er trouble anyone !n th!s country aga!n. , assure you' 0!r Henry' that !n a ery fe& days the necessary arrange)ents &!ll ha e been )ade and he &!ll be on h!s &ay to 0outh A)er!ca. -or God's sake' s!r' , beg of you not to let the %ol!ce kno& that he !s st!ll on the )oor. They ha e g! en u% the chase there' and he can l!e Tu!et unt!l the sh!% !s ready for h!). :ou can't tell on h!) &!thout gett!ng )y &!fe and )e !nto trouble. , beg you' s!r' to say noth!ng to the %ol!ce.L L*hat do you say' *atsonRL , shrugged )y shoulders. L,f he &ere safely out of the country !t &ould rel!e e the taxD%ayer of a burden.L LBut ho& about the chance of h!s hold!ng so)eone u% before he goesRL LHe &ould not do anyth!ng so )ad' s!r. *e ha e %ro !ded h!) &!th all that he can &ant. To co))!t a cr!)e &ould be to sho& &here he &as h!d!ng.L LThat !s true'L sa!d 0!r Henry. L*ell' Barry)oreDDL LGod bless you' s!r' and thank you fro) )y heart( ,t &ould ha e k!lled )y %oor &!fe had he been taken aga!n.L L, guess &e are a!d!ng and abett!ng a felony' *atsonR But' after &hat &e ha e heard , don't feel as !f , could g! e the )an u%' so there !s an end of !t. All r!ght' Barry)ore' you can go.L *!th a fe& broken &ords of grat!tude the )an turned' but he hes!tated and then ca)e back. L:ou' e been so k!nd to us' s!r' that , should l!ke to do the best , can for you !n return. , kno& so)eth!ng' 0!r Henry' and %erha%s , should ha e sa!d !t before' but !t &as long after the !nTuest that , found !t out. ,' e ne er breathed a &ord about

!t yet to )ortal )an. ,t's about %oor 0!r Charles's death.L The baronet and , &ere both u%on our feet. LDo you kno& ho& he d!edRL L<o' s!r' , don't kno& that.L L*hat thenRL L, kno& &hy he &as at the gate at that hour. ,t &as to )eet a &o)an.L LTo )eet a &o)an( HeRL L:es' s!r.L LAnd the &o)an's na)eRL L, can't g! e you the na)e' s!r' but , can g! e you the !n!t!als. Her !n!t!als &ere ?. ?.L LHo& do you kno& th!s' Barry)oreRL L*ell' 0!r Henry' your uncle had a letter that )orn!ng. He had usually a great )any letters' for he &as a %ubl!c )an and &ell kno&n for h!s k!nd heart' so that e eryone &ho &as !n trouble &as glad to turn to h!). But that )orn!ng' as !t chanced' there &as only th!s one letter' so , took the )ore not!ce of !t. ,t &as fro) Coo)be Tracey' and !t &as addressed !n a &o)an's hand.L L*ellRL L*ell' s!r' , thought no )ore of the )atter' and ne er &ould ha e done had !t not been for )y &!fe. 5nly a fe& &eeks ago she &as clean!ng out 0!r Charles's studyDD!t had ne er been touched s!nce h!s deathDDand she found the ashes of a burned letter !n the back of the grate. The greater %art of !t &as charred to %!eces' but one l!ttle sl!%' the end of a %age' hung together' and the &r!t!ng could st!ll be read' though !t &as gray on a black ground. ,t see)ed to us to be a %ostscr!%t at the end of the letter and !t sa!d4 'Please' %lease' as you are a gentle)an' burn th!s letter' and be at the gate by ten o clock. Beneath !t &ere s!gned the !n!t!als ?. ?.L LHa e you got that sl!%RL L<o' s!r' !t cru)bled all to b!ts after &e )o ed !t.L LHad 0!r Charles rece! ed any other letters !n the sa)e &r!t!ngRL L*ell' s!r' , took no %art!cular not!ce of h!s letters. , should not ha e not!ced th!s one' only !t ha%%ened to co)e alone.L LAnd you ha e no !dea &ho ?. ?. !sRL L<o' s!r. <o )ore than you ha e. But , ex%ect !f &e could lay our hands u%on that lady &e should kno& )ore about 0!r Charles's death.L

L, cannot understand' Barry)ore' ho& you ca)e to conceal th!s !)%ortant !nfor)at!on.L L*ell' s!r' !t &as !))ed!ately after that our o&n trouble ca)e to us. And then aga!n' s!r' &e &ere both of us ery fond of 0!r Charles' as &e &ell )!ght be cons!der!ng all that he has done for us. To rake th!s u% couldn't hel% our %oor )aster' and !t's &ell to go carefully &hen there's a lady !n the case. E en the best of usDDL L:ou thought !t )!ght !njure h!s re%utat!onRL L*ell' s!r' , thought no good could co)e of !t. But no& you ha e been k!nd to us' and , feel as !f !t &ould be treat!ng you unfa!rly not to tell you all that , kno& about the )atter.L L.ery good' Barry)oreK you can go.L *hen the butler had left us 0!r Henry turned to )e. L*ell' *atson' &hat do you th!nk of th!s ne& l!ghtRL L,t see)s to lea e the darkness rather blacker than before.L L0o , th!nk. But !f &e can only trace ?. ?. !t should clear u% the &hole bus!ness. *e ha e ga!ned that )uch. *e kno& that there !s so)eone &ho has the facts !f &e can only f!nd her. *hat do you th!nk &e should doRL L?et Hol)es kno& all about !t at once. ,t &!ll g! e h!) the clue for &h!ch he has been seek!ng. , a) )uch )!staken !f !t does not br!ng h!) do&n.L , &ent at once to )y roo) and dre& u% )y re%ort of the )orn!ng's con ersat!on for Hol)es. ,t &as e !dent to )e that he had been ery busy of late' for the notes &h!ch , had fro) Baker 0treet &ere fe& and short' &!th no co))ents u%on the !nfor)at!on &h!ch , had su%%l!ed and hardly any reference to )y )!ss!on. <o doubt h!s black)a!l!ng case !s absorb!ng all h!s facult!es. And yet th!s ne& factor )ust surely arrest h!s attent!on and rene& h!s !nterest. , &!sh that he &ere here. 5ctober 13th. All day today the ra!n %oured do&n' rustl!ng on the ! y and dr!%%!ng fro) the ea es. , thought of the con !ct out u%on the bleak' cold' shelterless )oor. Poor de !l( *hate er h!s cr!)es' he has suffered so)eth!ng to atone for the). And then , thought of that other oneDDthe face !n the cab' the f!gure aga!nst the )oon. *as he also out !n that delugedDDthe unseen &atcher' the )an of darknessR ,n the e en!ng , %ut on )y &ater%roof and , &alked far u%on the sodden )oor' full of dark !)ag!n!ngs' the ra!n beat!ng u%on )y face and the &!nd &h!stl!ng about )y ears. God hel% those &ho &ander !nto the great )!re no&' for e en the f!r) u%lands are beco)!ng a )orass. , found the black tor u%on &h!ch , had seen the sol!tary &atcher' and fro) !ts craggy su))!t , looked out )yself across the )elancholy do&ns. /a!n sTualls dr!fted across the!r russet face' and the hea y' slateDcoloured clouds hung lo& o er the landsca%e' tra!l!ng !n gray &reaths do&n the s!des of the fantast!c h!lls. ,n the d!stant hollo& on the left' half h!dden by the )!st' the t&o th!n to&ers of Basker !lle Hall rose abo e the trees. They &ere the only s!gns of hu)an l!fe &h!ch , could see' sa e only those

%reh!stor!c huts &h!ch lay th!ckly u%on the slo%es of the h!lls. <o&here &as there any trace of that lonely )an &ho) , had seen on the sa)e s%ot t&o n!ghts before. As , &alked back , &as o ertaken by Dr. >ort!)er dr! !ng !n h!s dogDcart o er a rough )oorland track &h!ch led fro) the outly!ng far)house of -oul)!re. He has been ery attent! e to us' and hardly a day has %assed that he has not called at the Hall to see ho& &e &ere gett!ng on. He !ns!sted u%on )y cl!)b!ng !nto h!s dogDcart' and he ga e )e a l!ft ho)e&ard. , found h!) )uch troubled o er the d!sa%%earance of h!s l!ttle s%an!el. ,t had &andered on to the )oor and had ne er co)e back. , ga e h!) such consolat!on as , )!ght' but , thought of the %ony on the Gr!)%en >!re' and , do not fancy that he &!ll see h!s l!ttle dog aga!n. LBy the &ay' >ort!)er'L sa!d , as &e jolted along the rough road' L, su%%ose there are fe& %eo%le l! !ng &!th!n dr! !ng d!stance of th!s &ho) you do not kno&RL LHardly any' , th!nk.L LCan you' then' tell )e the na)e of any &o)an &hose !n!t!als are ?. ?.RL He thought for a fe& )!nutes. L<o'L sa!d he. LThere are a fe& g!%s!es and labour!ng folk for &ho) , can't ans&er' but a)ong the far)ers or gentry there !s no one &hose !n!t!als are those. *a!t a b!t though'L he added after a %ause. LThere !s ?aura ?yonsDDher !n!t!als are ?. ?.DDbut she l! es !n Coo)be Tracey.L L*ho !s sheRL , asked. L0he !s -rankland's daughter.L L*hat( 5ld -rankland the crankRL LExactly. 0he )arr!ed an art!st na)ed ?yons' &ho ca)e sketch!ng on the )oor. He %ro ed to be a blackguard and deserted her. The fault fro) &hat , hear )ay not ha e been ent!rely on one s!de. Her father refused to ha e anyth!ng to do &!th her because she had )arr!ed &!thout h!s consent and %erha%s for one or t&o other reasons as &ell. 0o' bet&een the old s!nner and the young one the g!rl has had a %retty bad t!)e.L LHo& does she l! eRL L, fancy old -rankland allo&s her a %!ttance' but !t cannot be )ore' for h!s o&n affa!rs are cons!derably !n ol ed. *hate er she )ay ha e deser ed one could not allo& her to go ho%elessly to the bad. Her story got about' and se eral of the %eo%le here d!d so)eth!ng to enable her to earn an honest l! !ng. 0ta%leton d!d for one' and 0!r Charles for another. , ga e a tr!fle )yself. ,t &as to set her u% !n a ty%e&r!t!ng bus!ness.L He &anted to kno& the object of )y !nTu!r!es' but , )anaged to sat!sfy h!s cur!os!ty &!thout tell!ng h!) too )uch' for there !s no reason &hy &e should take anyone !nto our conf!dence. To)orro&

)orn!ng , shall f!nd )y &ay to Coo)be Tracey' and !f , can see th!s >rs. ?aura ?yons' of eTu! ocal re%utat!on' a long ste% &!ll ha e been )ade to&ards clear!ng one !nc!dent !n th!s cha!n of )yster!es. , a) certa!nly de elo%!ng the &!sdo) of the ser%ent' for &hen >ort!)er %ressed h!s Tuest!ons to an !ncon en!ent extent , asked h!) casually to &hat ty%e -rankland's skull belonged' and so heard noth!ng but cran!ology for the rest of our dr! e. , ha e not l! ed for years &!th 0herlock Hol)es for noth!ng. , ha e only one other !nc!dent to record u%on th!s te)%estuous and )elancholy day. Th!s &as )y con ersat!on &!th Barry)ore just no&' &h!ch g! es )e one )ore strong card &h!ch , can %lay !n due t!)e. >ort!)er had stayed to d!nner' and he and the baronet %layed ecarte after&ards. The butler brought )e )y coffee !nto the l!brary' and , took the chance to ask h!) a fe& Tuest!ons. L*ell'L sa!d ,' Lhas th!s %rec!ous relat!on of yours de%arted' or !s he st!ll lurk!ng out yonderRL L, don't kno&' s!r. , ho%e to hea en that he has gone' for he has brought noth!ng but trouble here( ,' e not heard of h!) s!nce , left out food for h!) last' and that &as three days ago.L LD!d you see h!) thenRL L<o' s!r' but the food &as gone &hen next , &ent that &ay.L LThen he &as certa!nly thereRL L0o you &ould th!nk' s!r' unless !t &as the other )an &ho took !t.L , sat &!th )y coffeeDcu% half&ay to )y l!%s and stared at Barry)ore. L:ou kno& that there !s another )an thenRL L:es' s!rK there !s another )an u%on the )oor.L LHa e you seen h!)RL L<o' s!r.L LHo& do you kno& of h!) thenRL L0elden told )e of h!)' s!r' a &eek ago or )ore. He's !n h!d!ng' too' but he's not a con !ct as far as , can )ake out. , don't l!ke !t' Dr. *atsonDD, tell you stra!ght' s!r' that , don't l!ke !t.L He s%oke &!th a sudden %ass!on of earnestness. L<o&' l!sten to )e' Barry)ore( , ha e no !nterest !n th!s )atter but that of your )aster. , ha e co)e here &!th no object exce%t to hel% h!). Tell )e' frankly' &hat !t !s that you don't l!ke.L Barry)ore hes!tated for a )o)ent' as !f he regretted h!s outburst or found !t d!ff!cult to ex%ress h!s o&n feel!ngs !n &ords. L,t's all these go!ngsDon' s!r'L he cr!ed at last' &a !ng h!s hand to&ards the ra!nDlashed &!ndo& &h!ch faced the )oor. LThere's foul

%lay so)e&here' and there's black !lla!ny bre&!ng' to that ,'ll s&ear( .ery glad , should be' s!r' to see 0!r Henry on h!s &ay back to ?ondon aga!n(L LBut &hat !s !t that alar)s youRL L?ook at 0!r Charles's death( That &as bad enough' for all that the coroner sa!d. ?ook at the no!ses on the )oor at n!ght. There's not a )an &ould cross !t after sundo&n !f he &as %a!d for !t. ?ook at th!s stranger h!d!ng out yonder' and &atch!ng and &a!t!ng( *hat's he &a!t!ng forR *hat does !t )eanR ,t )eans no good to anyone of the na)e of Basker !lle' and ery glad , shall be to be Tu!t of !t all on the day that 0!r Henry's ne& ser ants are ready to take o er the Hall.L LBut about th!s stranger'L sa!d ,. LCan you tell )e anyth!ng about h!)R *hat d!d 0elden sayR D!d he f!nd out &here he h!d' or &hat he &as do!ngRL LHe sa& h!) once or t&!ce' but he !s a dee% one and g! es noth!ng a&ay. At f!rst he thought that he &as the %ol!ce' but soon he found that he had so)e lay of h!s o&n. A k!nd of gentle)an he &as' as far as he could see' but &hat he &as do!ng he could not )ake out.L LAnd &here d!d he say that he l! edRL LA)ong the old houses on the h!lls!deDDthe stone huts &here the old folk used to l! e.L LBut ho& about h!s foodRL L0elden found out that he has got a lad &ho &orks for h!) and br!ngs all he needs. , dare say he goes to Coo)be Tracey for &hat he &ants.L L.ery good' Barry)ore. *e )ay talk further of th!s so)e other t!)e.L *hen the butler had gone , &alked o er to the black &!ndo&' and , looked through a blurred %ane at the dr! !ng clouds and at the toss!ng outl!ne of the &!ndDs&e%t trees. ,t !s a &!ld n!ght !ndoors' and &hat )ust !t be !n a stone hut u%on the )oor. *hat %ass!on of hatred can !t be &h!ch leads a )an to lurk !n such a %lace at such a t!)e( And &hat dee% and earnest %ur%ose can he ha e &h!ch calls for such a tr!al( There' !n that hut u%on the )oor' see)s to l!e the ery centre of that %roble) &h!ch has exed )e so sorely. , s&ear that another day shall not ha e %assed before , ha e done all that )an can do to reach the heart of the )ystery. Cha%ter 11 The >an on the Tor The extract fro) )y %r! ate d!ary &h!ch for)s the last cha%ter has brought )y narrat! e u% to the e!ghteenth of 5ctober' a t!)e

&hen these strange e ents began to )o e s&!ftly to&ards the!r terr!ble conclus!on. The !nc!dents of the next fe& days are !ndel!bly gra en u%on )y recollect!on' and , can tell the) &!thout reference to the notes )ade at the t!)e. , start the) fro) the day &h!ch succeeded that u%on &h!ch , had establ!shed t&o facts of great !)%ortance' the one that >rs. ?aura ?yons of Coo)be Tracey had &r!tten to 0!r Charles Basker !lle and )ade an a%%o!nt)ent &!th h!) at the ery %lace and hour that he )et h!s death' the other that the lurk!ng )an u%on the )oor &as to be found a)ong the stone huts u%on the h!lls!de. *!th these t&o facts !n )y %ossess!on , felt that e!ther )y !ntell!gence or )y courage )ust be def!c!ent !f , could not thro& so)e further l!ght u%on these dark %laces. , had no o%%ortun!ty to tell the baronet &hat , had learned about >rs. ?yons u%on the e en!ng before' for Dr. >ort!)er re)a!ned &!th h!) at cards unt!l !t &as ery late. At breakfast' ho&e er' , !nfor)ed h!) about )y d!sco ery and asked h!) &hether he &ould care to acco)%any )e to Coo)be Tracey. At f!rst he &as ery eager to co)e' but on second thoughts !t see)ed to both of us that !f , &ent alone the results )!ght be better. The )ore for)al &e )ade the !s!t the less !nfor)at!on &e )!ght obta!n. , left 0!r Henry beh!nd' therefore' not &!thout so)e %r!ck!ngs of consc!ence' and dro e off u%on )y ne& Tuest. *hen , reached Coo)be Tracey , told Perk!ns to %ut u% the horses' and , )ade !nTu!r!es for the lady &ho) , had co)e to !nterrogate. , had no d!ff!culty !n f!nd!ng her roo)s' &h!ch &ere central and &ell a%%o!nted. A )a!d sho&ed )e !n &!thout cere)ony' and as , entered the s!tt!ngDroo) a lady' &ho &as s!tt!ng before a /e)!ngton ty%e&r!ter' s%rang u% &!th a %leasant s)!le of &elco)e. Her face fell' ho&e er' &hen she sa& that , &as a stranger' and she sat do&n aga!n and asked )e the object of )y !s!t. The f!rst !)%ress!on left by >rs. ?yons &as one of extre)e beauty. Her eyes and ha!r &ere of the sa)e r!ch ha;el colour' and her cheeks' though cons!derably freckled' &ere flushed &!th the exTu!s!te bloo) of the brunette' the da!nty %!nk &h!ch lurks at the heart of the sul%hur rose. Ad)!rat!on &as' , re%eat' the f!rst !)%ress!on. But the second &as cr!t!c!s). There &as so)eth!ng subtly &rong &!th the face' so)e coarseness of ex%ress!on' so)e hardness' %erha%s' of eye' so)e looseness of l!% &h!ch )arred !ts %erfect beauty. But these' of course' are afterthoughts. At the )o)ent , &as s!)%ly consc!ous that , &as !n the %resence of a ery handso)e &o)an' and that she &as ask!ng )e the reasons for )y !s!t. , had not Tu!te understood unt!l that !nstant ho& del!cate )y )!ss!on &as. L, ha e the %leasure'L sa!d ,' Lof kno&!ng your father.L ,t &as a clu)sy !ntroduct!on' and the lady )ade )e feel !t. LThere !s noth!ng !n co))on bet&een )y father and )e'L she sa!d. L, o&e h!) noth!ng' and h!s fr!ends are not )!ne. ,f !t &ere not for the late 0!r Charles Basker !lle and so)e other k!nd hearts , )!ght ha e star ed for all that )y father cared.L L,t &as about the late 0!r Charles Basker !lle that , ha e co)e here to see you.L The freckles started out on the lady's face.

 L*hat can , tell you about h!)RL she asked' and her f!ngers %layed ner ously o er the sto%s of her ty%e&r!ter. L:ou kne& h!)' d!d you notRL L, ha e already sa!d that , o&e a great deal to h!s k!ndness. ,f , a) able to su%%ort )yself !t !s largely due to the !nterest &h!ch he took !n )y unha%%y s!tuat!on.L LD!d you corres%ond &!th h!)RL The lady looked Tu!ckly u% &!th an angry glea) !n her ha;el eyes. L*hat !s the object of these Tuest!onsRL she asked shar%ly. LThe object !s to a o!d a %ubl!c scandal. ,t !s better that , should ask the) here than that the )atter should %ass outs!de our control.L 0he &as s!lent and her face &as st!ll ery %ale. At last she looked u% &!th so)eth!ng reckless and def!ant !n her )anner. L*ell' ,'ll ans&er'L she sa!d. L*hat are your Tuest!onsRL LD!d you corres%ond &!th 0!r CharlesRL L, certa!nly &rote to h!) once or t&!ce to ackno&ledge h!s del!cacy and h!s generos!ty.L LHa e you the dates of those lettersRL L<o.L LHa e you e er )et h!)RL L:es' once or t&!ce' &hen he ca)e !nto Coo)be Tracey. He &as a ery ret!r!ng )an' and he %referred to do good by stealth.L LBut !f you sa& h!) so seldo) and &rote so seldo)' ho& d!d he kno& enough about your affa!rs to be able to hel% you' as you say that he has doneRL 0he )et )y d!ff!culty &!th the ut)ost read!ness. LThere &ere se eral gentle)en &ho kne& )y sad h!story and un!ted to hel% )e. 5ne &as >r. 0ta%leton' a ne!ghbour and !nt!)ate fr!end of 0!r Charles's. He &as exceed!ngly k!nd' and !t &as through h!) that 0!r Charles learned about )y affa!rs.L , kne& already that 0!r Charles Basker !lle had )ade 0ta%leton h!s al)oner u%on se eral occas!ons' so the lady's state)ent bore the !)%ress of truth u%on !t. LD!d you e er &r!te to 0!r Charles ask!ng h!) to )eet youRL , cont!nued. >rs. ?yons flushed &!th anger aga!n. L/eally' s!r' th!s !s a ery extraord!nary Tuest!on.L

 L, a) sorry' )ada)' but , )ust re%eat !t.L LThen , ans&er' certa!nly not.L L<ot on the ery day of 0!r Charles's deathRL The flush had faded !n an !nstant' and a deathly face &as before )e. Her dry l!%s could not s%eak the L<oL &h!ch , sa& rather than heard. L0urely your )e)ory dece! es you'L sa!d ,. L, could e en Tuote a %assage of your letter. ,t ran 'Please' %lease' as you are a gentle)an' burn th!s letter' and be at the gate by ten o'clock.'L , thought that she had fa!nted' but she reco ered herself by a su%re)e effort. L,s there no such th!ng as a gentle)anRL she gas%ed. L:ou do 0!r Charles an !njust!ce. He d!d burn the letter. But so)et!)es a letter )ay be leg!ble e en &hen burned. :ou ackno&ledge no& that you &rote !tRL L:es' , d!d &r!te !t'L she cr!ed' %our!ng out her soul !n a torrent of &ords. L, d!d &r!te !t. *hy should , deny !tR , ha e no reason to be asha)ed of !t. , &!shed h!) to hel% )e. , bel!e ed that !f , had an !nter !e& , could ga!n h!s hel%' so , asked h!) to )eet )e.L LBut &hy at such an hourRL LBecause , had only just learned that he &as go!ng to ?ondon next day and )!ght be a&ay for )onths. There &ere reasons &hy , could not get there earl!er.L LBut &hy a rende; ous !n the garden !nstead of a !s!t to the houseRL LDo you th!nk a &o)an could go alone at that hour to a bachelor's houseRL L*ell' &hat ha%%ened &hen you d!d get thereRL L, ne er &ent.L L>rs. ?yons(L L<o' , s&ear !t to you on all , hold sacred. , ne er &ent. 0o)eth!ng !nter ened to %re ent )y go!ng.L L*hat &as thatRL LThat !s a %r! ate )atter. , cannot tell !t.L L:ou ackno&ledge then that you )ade an a%%o!nt)ent &!th 0!r Charles at the ery hour and %lace at &h!ch he )et h!s death' but you deny that you ke%t the a%%o!nt)ent.L

LThat !s the truth.L Aga!n and aga!n , crossDTuest!oned her' but , could ne er get %ast that %o!nt. L>rs. ?yons'L sa!d , as , rose fro) th!s long and !nconclus! e !nter !e&' Lyou are tak!ng a ery great res%ons!b!l!ty and %utt!ng yourself !n a ery false %os!t!on by not )ak!ng an absolutely clean breast of all that you kno&. ,f , ha e to call !n the a!d of the %ol!ce you &!ll f!nd ho& ser!ously you are co)%ro)!sed. ,f your %os!t!on !s !nnocent' &hy d!d you !n the f!rst !nstance deny ha !ng &r!tten to 0!r Charles u%on that dateRL LBecause , feared that so)e false conclus!on )!ght be dra&n fro) !t and that , )!ght f!nd )yself !n ol ed !n a scandal.L LAnd &hy &ere you so %ress!ng that 0!r Charles should destroy your letterRL L,f you ha e read the letter you &!ll kno&.L L, d!d not say that , had read all the letter.L L:ou Tuoted so)e of !t.L L, Tuoted the %ostscr!%t. The letter had' as , sa!d' been burned and !t &as not all leg!ble. , ask you once aga!n &hy !t &as that you &ere so %ress!ng that 0!r Charles should destroy th!s letter &h!ch he rece! ed on the day of h!s death.L LThe )atter !s a ery %r! ate one.L LThe )ore reason &hy you should a o!d a %ubl!c !n est!gat!on.L L, &!ll tell you' then. ,f you ha e heard anyth!ng of )y unha%%y h!story you &!ll kno& that , )ade a rash )arr!age and had reason to regret !t.L L, ha e heard so )uch.L L>y l!fe has been one !ncessant %ersecut!on fro) a husband &ho) , abhor. The la& !s u%on h!s s!de' and e ery day , a) faced by the %oss!b!l!ty that he )ay force )e to l! e &!th h!). At the t!)e that , &rote th!s letter to 0!r Charles , had learned that there &as a %ros%ect of )y rega!n!ng )y freedo) !f certa!n ex%enses could be )et. ,t )eant e eryth!ng to )eDD%eace of )!nd' ha%%!ness' selfDres%ectDDe eryth!ng. , kne& 0!r Charles's generos!ty' and , thought that !f he heard the story fro) )y o&n l!%s he &ould hel% )e.L LThen ho& !s !t that you d!d not goRL LBecause , rece! ed hel% !n the !nter al fro) another source.L L*hy then' d!d you not &r!te to 0!r Charles and ex%la!n th!sRL L0o , should ha e done had , not seen h!s death !n the %a%er next )orn!ng.L

The &o)an's story hung coherently together' and all )y Tuest!ons &ere unable to shake !t. , could only check !t by f!nd!ng !f she had' !ndeed' !nst!tuted d! orce %roceed!ngs aga!nst her husband at or about the t!)e of the tragedy. ,t &as unl!kely that she &ould dare to say that she had not been to Basker !lle Hall !f she really had been' for a tra% &ould be necessary to take her there' and could not ha e returned to Coo)be Tracey unt!l the early hours of the )orn!ng. 0uch an excurs!on could not be ke%t secret. The %robab!l!ty &as' therefore' that she &as tell!ng the truth' or' at least' a %art of the truth. , ca)e a&ay baffled and d!sheartened. 5nce aga!n , had reached that dead &all &h!ch see)ed to be bu!lt across e ery %ath by &h!ch , tr!ed to get at the object of )y )!ss!on. And yet the )ore , thought of the lady's face and of her )anner the )ore , felt that so)eth!ng &as be!ng held back fro) )e. *hy should she turn so %aleR *hy should she f!ght aga!nst e ery ad)!ss!on unt!l !t &as forced fro) herR *hy should she ha e been so ret!cent at the t!)e of the tragedyR 0urely the ex%lanat!on of all th!s could not be as !nnocent as she &ould ha e )e bel!e e. -or the )o)ent , could %roceed no farther !n that d!rect!on' but )ust turn back to that other clue &h!ch &as to be sought for a)ong the stone huts u%on the )oor. And that &as a )ost ague d!rect!on. , real!;ed !t as , dro e back and noted ho& h!ll after h!ll sho&ed traces of the anc!ent %eo%le. Barry)ore's only !nd!cat!on had been that the stranger l! ed !n one of these abandoned huts' and )any hundreds of the) are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the )oor. But , had )y o&n ex%er!ence for a gu!de s!nce !t had sho&n )e the )an h!)self stand!ng u%on the su))!t of the Black Tor. That' then' should be the centre of )y search. -ro) there , should ex%lore e ery hut u%on the )oor unt!l , l!ghted u%on the r!ght one. ,f th!s )an &ere !ns!de !t , should f!nd out fro) h!s o&n l!%s' at the %o!nt of )y re ol er !f necessary' &ho he &as and &hy he had dogged us so long. He )!ght sl!% a&ay fro) us !n the cro&d of /egent 0treet' but !t &ould %u;;le h!) to do so u%on the lonely )oor. 5n the other hand' !f , should f!nd the hut and !ts tenant should not be &!th!n !t , )ust re)a!n there' ho&e er long the !g!l' unt!l he returned. Hol)es had )!ssed h!) !n ?ondon. ,t &ould !ndeed be a tr!u)%h for )e !f , could run h!) to earth &here )y )aster had fa!led. ?uck had been aga!nst us aga!n and aga!n !n th!s !nTu!ry' but no& at last !t ca)e to )y a!d. And the )essenger of good fortune &as none other than >r. -rankland' &ho &as stand!ng' grayD&h!skered and redDfaced' outs!de the gate of h!s garden' &h!ch o%ened on to the h!ghroad along &h!ch , tra elled. LGoodDday' Dr. *atson'L cr!ed he &!th un&onted good hu)our' Lyou )ust really g! e your horses a rest and co)e !n to ha e a glass of &!ne and to congratulate )e.L >y feel!ngs to&ards h!) &ere ery far fro) be!ng fr!endly after &hat , had heard of h!s treat)ent of h!s daughter' but , &as anx!ous to send Perk!ns and the &agonette ho)e' and the o%%ortun!ty &as a good one. , al!ghted and sent a )essage to 0!r Henry that , should &alk o er !n t!)e for d!nner. Then , follo&ed -rankland !nto h!s d!n!ngDroo).

 L,t !s a great day for )e' s!rDDone of the redDletter days of )y l!fe'L he cr!ed &!th )any chuckles. L, ha e brought off a double e ent. , )ean to teach the) !n these %arts that la& !s la&' and that there !s a )an here &ho does not fear to !n oke !t. , ha e establ!shed a r!ght of &ay through the centre of old >!ddleton's %ark' sla% across !t' s!r' &!th!n a hundred yards of h!s o&n front door. *hat do you th!nk of thatR *e'll teach these )agnates that they cannot r!de roughshod o er the r!ghts of the co))oners' confound the)( And ,' e closed the &ood &here the -ern&orthy folk used to %!cn!c. These !nfernal %eo%le see) to th!nk that there are no r!ghts of %ro%erty' and that they can s&ar) &here they l!ke &!th the!r %a%ers and the!r bottles. Both cases dec!ded' Dr. *atson' and both !n )y fa our. , ha en't had such a day s!nce , had 0!r Sohn >orland for tres%ass because he shot !n h!s o&n &arren.L LHo& on earth d!d you do thatRL L?ook !t u% !n the books' s!r. ,t &!ll re%ay read!ngDD-rankland . >orland' Court of Uueen's Bench. ,t cost )e #66 %ounds' but , got )y erd!ct.L LD!d !t do you any goodRL L<one' s!r' none. , a) %roud to say that , had no !nterest !n the )atter. , act ent!rely fro) a sense of %ubl!c duty. , ha e no doubt' for exa)%le' that the -ern&orthy %eo%le &!ll burn )e !n eff!gy ton!ght. , told the %ol!ce last t!)e they d!d !t that they should sto% these d!sgraceful exh!b!t!ons. The County Constabulary !s !n a scandalous state' s!r' and !t has not afforded )e the %rotect!on to &h!ch , a) ent!tled. The case of -rankland . /eg!na &!ll br!ng the )atter before the attent!on of the %ubl!c. , told the) that they &ould ha e occas!on to regret the!r treat)ent of )e' and already )y &ords ha e co)e true.L LHo& soRL , asked. The old )an %ut on a ery kno&!ng ex%ress!on. LBecause , could tell the) &hat they are dy!ng to kno&K but noth!ng &ould !nduce )e to hel% the rascals !n any &ay.L , had been cast!ng round for so)e excuse by &h!ch , could get a&ay fro) h!s goss!%' but no& , began to &!sh to hear )ore of !t. , had seen enough of the contrary nature of the old s!nner to understand that any strong s!gn of !nterest &ould be the surest &ay to sto% h!s conf!dences. L0o)e %oach!ng case' no doubtRL sa!d , &!th an !nd!fferent )anner. LHa' ha' )y boy' a ery )uch )ore !)%ortant )atter than that( *hat about the con !ct on the )oorRL , stared. L:ou don't )ean that you kno& &here he !sRL sa!d ,. L, )ay not kno& exactly &here he !s' but , a) Tu!te sure that , could hel% the %ol!ce to lay the!r hands on h!). Has !t ne er struck you that the &ay to catch that )an &as to f!nd out &here he got h!s food and so trace !t to h!)RL

He certa!nly see)ed to be gett!ng unco)fortably near the truth. L<o doubt'L sa!d ,K Lbut ho& do you kno& that he !s any&here u%on the )oorRL L, kno& !t because , ha e seen &!th )y o&n eyes the )essenger &ho takes h!) h!s food.L >y heart sank for Barry)ore. ,t &as a ser!ous th!ng to be !n the %o&er of th!s s%!teful old busybody. But h!s next re)ark took a &e!ght fro) )y )!nd. L:ou'll be sur%r!sed to hear that h!s food !s taken to h!) by a ch!ld. , see h!) e ery day through )y telesco%e u%on the roof. He %asses along the sa)e %ath at the sa)e hour' and to &ho) should he be go!ng exce%t to the con !ctRL Here &as luck !ndeed( And yet , su%%ressed all a%%earance of !nterest. A ch!ld( Barry)ore had sa!d that our unkno&n &as su%%l!ed by a boy. ,t &as on h!s track' and not u%on the con !ct's' that -rankland had stu)bled. ,f , could get h!s kno&ledge !t )!ght sa e )e a long and &eary hunt. But !ncredul!ty and !nd!fference &ere e !dently )y strongest cards. L, should say that !t &as )uch )ore l!kely that !t &as the son of one of the )oorland she%herds tak!ng out h!s father's d!nner.L The least a%%earance of o%%os!t!on struck f!re out of the old autocrat. H!s eyes looked )al!gnantly at )e' and h!s gray &h!skers br!stled l!ke those of an angry cat. L,ndeed' s!r(L sa!d he' %o!nt!ng out o er the &!deDstretch!ng )oor. LDo you see that Black Tor o er yonderR *ell' do you see the lo& h!ll beyond &!th the thornbush u%on !tR ,t !s the ston!est %art of the &hole )oor. ,s that a %lace &here a she%herd &ould be l!kely to take h!s stat!onR :our suggest!on' s!r' !s a )ost absurd one.L , )eekly ans&ered that , had s%oken &!thout kno&!ng all the facts. >y sub)!ss!on %leased h!) and led h!) to further conf!dences. L:ou )ay be sure' s!r' that , ha e ery good grounds before , co)e to an o%!n!on. , ha e seen the boy aga!n and aga!n &!th h!s bundle. E ery day' and so)et!)es t&!ce a day' , ha e been ableDDbut &a!t a )o)ent' Dr. *atson. Do )y eyes dece! e )e' or !s there at the %resent )o)ent so)eth!ng )o !ng u%on that h!lls!deRL ,t &as se eral )!les off' but , could d!st!nctly see a s)all dark dot aga!nst the dull green and gray. LCo)e' s!r' co)e(L cr!ed -rankland' rush!ng u%sta!rs. L:ou &!ll see &!th your o&n eyes and judge for yourself.L The telesco%e' a for)!dable !nstru)ent )ounted u%on a tr!%od' stood u%on the flat leads of the house. -rankland cla%%ed h!s eye to !t and ga e a cry of sat!sfact!on. LUu!ck' Dr. *atson' Tu!ck' before he %asses o er the h!ll(L There he &as' sure enough' a s)all urch!n &!th a l!ttle bundle

u%on h!s shoulder' to!l!ng slo&ly u% the h!ll. *hen he reached the crest , sa& the ragged uncouth f!gure outl!ned for an !nstant aga!nst the cold blue sky. He looked round h!) &!th a furt! e and stealthy a!r' as one &ho dreads %ursu!t. Then he an!shed o er the h!ll. L*ell( A) , r!ghtRL LCerta!nly' there !s a boy &ho see)s to ha e so)e secret errand.L LAnd &hat the errand !s e en a county constable could guess. But not one &ord shall they ha e fro) )e' and , b!nd you to secrecy also' Dr. *atson. <ot a &ord( :ou understand(L LSust as you &!sh.L LThey ha e treated )e sha)efullyDDsha)efully. *hen the facts co)e out !n -rankland . /eg!na , enture to th!nk that a thr!ll of !nd!gnat!on &!ll run through the country. <oth!ng &ould !nduce )e to hel% the %ol!ce !n any &ay. -or all they cared !t )!ght ha e been )e' !nstead of )y eff!gy' &h!ch these rascals burned at the stake. 0urely you are not go!ng( :ou &!ll hel% )e to e)%ty the decanter !n honour of th!s great occas!on(L But , res!sted all h!s sol!c!tat!ons and succeeded !n d!ssuad!ng h!) fro) h!s announced !ntent!on of &alk!ng ho)e &!th )e. , ke%t the road as long as h!s eye &as on )e' and then , struck off across the )oor and )ade for the stony h!ll o er &h!ch the boy had d!sa%%eared. E eryth!ng &as &ork!ng !n )y fa our' and , s&ore that !t should not be through lack of energy or %erse erance that , should )!ss the chance &h!ch fortune had thro&n !n )y &ay. The sun &as already s!nk!ng &hen , reached the su))!t of the h!ll' and the long slo%es beneath )e &ere all goldenDgreen on one s!de and gray shado& on the other. A ha;e lay lo& u%on the farthest skyDl!ne' out of &h!ch jutted the fantast!c sha%es of Bell! er and .!xen Tor. 5 er the &!de ex%anse there &as no sound and no )o e)ent. 5ne great gray b!rd' a gull or curle&' soared aloft !n the blue hea en. He and , see)ed to be the only l! !ng th!ngs bet&een the huge arch of the sky and the desert beneath !t. The barren scene' the sense of lonel!ness' and the )ystery and urgency of )y task all struck a ch!ll !nto )y heart. The boy &as no&here to be seen. But do&n beneath )e !n a cleft of the h!lls there &as a c!rcle of the old stone huts' and !n the )!ddle of the) there &as one &h!ch reta!ned suff!c!ent roof to act as a screen aga!nst the &eather. >y heart lea%ed &!th!n )e as , sa& !t. Th!s )ust be the burro& &here the stranger lurked. At last )y foot &as on the threshold of h!s h!d!ng %laceDDh!s secret &as &!th!n )y gras%. As , a%%roached the hut' &alk!ng as &ar!ly as 0ta%leton &ould do &hen &!th %o!sed net he dre& near the settled butterfly' , sat!sf!ed )yself that the %lace had !ndeed been used as a hab!tat!on. A ague %ath&ay a)ong the boulders led to the d!la%!dated o%en!ng &h!ch ser ed as a door. All &as s!lent &!th!n. The unkno&n )!ght be lurk!ng there' or he )!ght be %ro&l!ng on the )oor. >y ner es t!ngled &!th the sense of ad enture. Thro&!ng as!de )y c!garette' , closed )y hand u%on the butt of )y re ol er and' &alk!ng s&!ftly u% to the door' , looked !n. The %lace &as e)%ty.

 But there &ere a)%le s!gns that , had not co)e u%on a false scent. Th!s &as certa!nly &here the )an l! ed. 0o)e blankets rolled !n a &ater%roof lay u%on that ery stone slab u%on &h!ch <eol!th!c )an had once slu)bered. The ashes of a f!re &ere hea%ed !n a rude grate. Bes!de !t lay so)e cook!ng utens!ls and a bucket halfDfull of &ater. A l!tter of e)%ty t!ns sho&ed that the %lace had been occu%!ed for so)e t!)e' and , sa&' as )y eyes beca)e accusto)ed to the checkered l!ght' a %ann!k!n and a halfDfull bottle of s%!r!ts stand!ng !n the corner. ,n the )!ddle of the hut a flat stone ser ed the %ur%ose of a table' and u%on th!s stood a s)all cloth bundleDDthe sa)e' no doubt' &h!ch , had seen through the telesco%e u%on the shoulder of the boy. ,t conta!ned a loaf of bread' a t!nned tongue' and t&o t!ns of %reser ed %eaches. As , set !t do&n aga!n' after ha !ng exa)!ned !t' )y heart lea%ed to see that beneath !t there lay a sheet of %a%er &!th &r!t!ng u%on !t. , ra!sed !t' and th!s &as &hat , read' roughly scra&led !n %enc!l4 LDr. *atson has gone to Coo)be Tracey.L -or a )!nute , stood there &!th the %a%er !n )y hands th!nk!ng out the )ean!ng of th!s curt )essage. ,t &as ,' then' and not 0!r Henry' &ho &as be!ng dogged by th!s secret )an. He had not follo&ed )e h!)self' but he had set an agentDDthe boy' %erha%sDD u%on )y track' and th!s &as h!s re%ort. Poss!bly , had taken no ste% s!nce , had been u%on the )oor &h!ch had not been obser ed and re%orted. Al&ays there &as th!s feel!ng of an unseen force' a f!ne net dra&n round us &!th !nf!n!te sk!ll and del!cacy' hold!ng us so l!ghtly that !t &as only at so)e su%re)e )o)ent that one real!;ed that one &as !ndeed entangled !n !ts )eshes. ,f there &as one re%ort there )!ght be others' so , looked round the hut !n search of the). There &as no trace' ho&e er' of anyth!ng of the k!nd' nor could , d!sco er any s!gn &h!ch )!ght !nd!cate the character or !ntent!ons of the )an &ho l! ed !n th!s s!ngular %lace' sa e that he )ust be of 0%artan hab!ts and cared l!ttle for the co)forts of l!fe. *hen , thought of the hea y ra!ns and looked at the ga%!ng roof , understood ho& strong and !))utable )ust be the %ur%ose &h!ch had ke%t h!) !n that !nhos%!table abode. *as he our )al!gnant ene)y' or &as he by chance our guard!an angelR , s&ore that , &ould not lea e the hut unt!l , kne&. 5uts!de the sun &as s!nk!ng lo& and the &est &as bla;!ng &!th scarlet and gold. ,ts reflect!on &as shot back !n ruddy %atches by the d!stant %ools &h!ch lay a)!d the great Gr!)%en >!re. There &ere the t&o to&ers of Basker !lle Hall' and there a d!stant blur of s)oke &h!ch )arked the !llage of Gr!)%en. Bet&een the t&o' beh!nd the h!ll' &as the house of the 0ta%letons. All &as s&eet and )ello& and %eaceful !n the golden e en!ng l!ght' and yet as , looked at the) )y soul shared none of the %eace of <ature but Tu! ered at the agueness and the terror of that !nter !e& &h!ch e ery !nstant &as br!ng!ng nearer. *!th t!ngl!ng ner es but a f!xed %ur%ose' , sat !n the dark recess of the hut and &a!ted &!th so)bre %at!ence for the co)!ng of !ts tenant. And then at last , heard h!). -ar a&ay ca)e the shar% cl!nk of a boot str!k!ng u%on a stone. Then another and yet another' co)!ng nearer and nearer. , shrank back !nto the darkest corner and cocked the %!stol !n )y %ocket' deter)!ned not to d!sco er )yself

unt!l , had an o%%ortun!ty of see!ng so)eth!ng of the stranger. There &as a long %ause &h!ch sho&ed that he had sto%%ed. Then once )ore the footste%s a%%roached and a shado& fell across the o%en!ng of the hut. L,t !s a lo ely e en!ng' )y dear *atson'L sa!d a &ellDkno&n o!ce. L, really th!nk that you &!ll be )ore co)fortable outs!de than !n.L Cha%ter 1# Death on the >oor -or a )o)ent or t&o , sat breathless' hardly able to bel!e e )y ears. Then )y senses and )y o!ce ca)e back to )e' &h!le a crush!ng &e!ght of res%ons!b!l!ty see)ed !n an !nstant to be l!fted fro) )y soul. That cold' !nc!s! e' !ron!cal o!ce could belong to but one )an !n all the &orld. LHol)es(L , cr!edDDLHol)es(L LCo)e out'L sa!d he' Land %lease be careful &!th the re ol er.L , stoo%ed under the rude l!ntel' and there he sat u%on a stone outs!de' h!s gray eyes danc!ng &!th a)use)ent as they fell u%on )y aston!shed features. He &as th!n and &orn' but clear and alert' h!s keen face bron;ed by the sun and roughened by the &!nd. ,n h!s t&eed su!t and cloth ca% he looked l!ke any other tour!st u%on the )oor' and he had contr! ed' &!th that catl!ke lo e of %ersonal cleanl!ness &h!ch &as one of h!s character!st!cs' that h!s ch!n should be as s)ooth and h!s l!nen as %erfect as !f he &ere !n Baker 0treet. L, ne er &as )ore glad to see anyone !n )y l!fe'L sa!d , as , &rung h!) by the hand. L5r )ore aston!shed' ehRL L*ell' , )ust confess to !t.L LThe sur%r!se &as not all on one s!de' , assure you. , had no !dea that you had found )y occas!onal retreat' st!ll less that you &ere !ns!de !t' unt!l , &as &!th!n t&enty %aces of the door.L L>y foot%r!nt' , %resu)eRL L<o' *atson' , fear that , could not undertake to recogn!;e your foot%r!nt a)!d all the foot%r!nts of the &orld. ,f you ser!ously des!re to dece! e )e you )ust change your tobaccon!stK for &hen , see the stub of a c!garette )arked Bradley' 5xford 0treet' , kno& that )y fr!end *atson !s !n the ne!ghbourhood. :ou &!ll see !t there bes!de the %ath. :ou thre& !t do&n' no doubt' at that su%re)e )o)ent &hen you charged !nto the e)%ty hut.L LExactly.L

L, thought as )uchDDand kno&!ng your ad)!rable tenac!ty , &as con !nced that you &ere s!tt!ng !n a)bush' a &ea%on &!th!n reach' &a!t!ng for the tenant to return. 0o you actually thought that , &as the cr!)!nalRL L, d!d not kno& &ho you &ere' but , &as deter)!ned to f!nd out.L LExcellent' *atson( And ho& d!d you local!;e )eR :ou sa& )e' %erha%s' on the n!ght of the con !ct hunt' &hen , &as so !)%rudent as to allo& the )oon to r!se beh!nd )eRL L:es' , sa& you then.L LAnd ha e no doubt searched all the huts unt!l you ca)e to th!s oneRL L<o' your boy had been obser ed' and that ga e )e a gu!de &here to look.L LThe old gentle)an &!th the telesco%e' no doubt. , could not )ake !t out &hen f!rst , sa& the l!ght flash!ng u%on the lens.L He rose and %ee%ed !nto the hut. LHa' , see that Cart&r!ght has brought u% so)e su%%l!es. *hat's th!s %a%erR 0o you ha e been to Coo)be Tracey' ha e youRL L:es.L LTo see >rs. ?aura ?yonsRL LExactly.L L*ell done( 5ur researches ha e e !dently been runn!ng on %arallel l!nes' and &hen &e un!te our results , ex%ect &e shall ha e a fa!rly full kno&ledge of the case.L L*ell' , a) glad fro) )y heart that you are here' for !ndeed the res%ons!b!l!ty and the )ystery &ere both beco)!ng too )uch for )y ner es. But ho& !n the na)e of &onder d!d you co)e here' and &hat ha e you been do!ngR , thought that you &ere !n Baker 0treet &ork!ng out that case of black)a!l!ng.L LThat &as &hat , &!shed you to th!nk.L LThen you use )e' and yet do not trust )e(L , cr!ed &!th so)e b!tterness. L, th!nk that , ha e deser ed better at your hands' Hol)es.L L>y dear fello&' you ha e been !n aluable to )e !n th!s as !n )any other cases' and , beg that you &!ll forg! e )e !f , ha e see)ed to %lay a tr!ck u%on you. ,n truth' !t &as %artly for your o&n sake that , d!d !t' and !t &as )y a%%rec!at!on of the danger &h!ch you ran &h!ch led )e to co)e do&n and exa)!ne the )atter for )yself. Had , been &!th 0!r Henry and you !t !s conf!dent that )y %o!nt of !e& &ould ha e been the sa)e as yours' and )y %resence &ould ha e &arned our ery for)!dable o%%onents to be on the!r guard. As !t !s' , ha e been able to get about as , could not %oss!bly ha e done had , been l! !ng !n the Hall' and , re)a!n an unkno&n factor !n the bus!ness' ready to thro& !n all )y &e!ght at a cr!t!cal )o)ent.L

 LBut &hy kee% )e !n the darkRL L-or you to kno& could not ha e hel%ed us and )!ght %oss!bly ha e led to )y d!sco ery. :ou &ould ha e &!shed to tell )e so)eth!ng' or !n your k!ndness you &ould ha e brought )e out so)e co)fort or other' and so an unnecessary r!sk &ould be run. , brought Cart&r!ght do&n &!th )eDDyou re)e)ber the l!ttle cha% at the ex%ress off!ceDDand he has seen after )y s!)%le &ants4 a loaf of bread and a clean collar. *hat does )an &ant )oreR He has g! en )e an extra %a!r of eyes u%on a ery act! e %a!r of feet' and both ha e been !n aluable.L LThen )y re%orts ha e all been &asted(L DD>y o!ce tre)bled as , recalled the %a!ns and the %r!de &!th &h!ch , had co)%osed the). Hol)es took a bundle of %a%ers fro) h!s %ocket. LHere are your re%orts' )y dear fello&' and ery &ell thu)bed' , assure you. , )ade excellent arrange)ents' and they are only delayed one day u%on the!r &ay. , )ust co)%l!)ent you exceed!ngly u%on the ;eal and the !ntell!gence &h!ch you ha e sho&n o er an extraord!nar!ly d!ff!cult case.L , &as st!ll rather ra& o er the dece%t!on &h!ch had been %ract!sed u%on )e' but the &ar)th of Hol)es's %ra!se dro e )y anger fro) )y )!nd. , felt also !n )y heart that he &as r!ght !n &hat he sa!d and that !t &as really best for our %ur%ose that , should not ha e kno&n that he &as u%on the )oor. LThat's better'L sa!d he' see!ng the shado& r!se fro) )y face. LAnd no& tell )e the result of your !s!t to >rs. ?aura ?yonsDD !t &as not d!ff!cult for )e to guess that !t &as to see her that you had gone' for , a) already a&are that she !s the one %erson !n Coo)be Tracey &ho )!ght be of ser !ce to us !n the )atter. ,n fact' !f you had not gone today !t !s exceed!ngly %robable that , should ha e gone to)orro&.L The sun had set and dusk &as settl!ng o er the )oor. The a!r had turned ch!ll and &e &!thdre& !nto the hut for &ar)th. There' s!tt!ng together !n the t&!l!ght' , told Hol)es of )y con ersat!on &!th the lady. 0o !nterested &as he that , had to re%eat so)e of !t t&!ce before he &as sat!sf!ed. LTh!s !s )ost !)%ortant'L sa!d he &hen , had concluded. L,t f!lls u% a ga% &h!ch , had been unable to br!dge !n th!s )ost co)%lex affa!r. :ou are a&are' %erha%s' that a close !nt!)acy ex!sts bet&een th!s lady and the )an 0ta%letonRL L, d!d not kno& of a close !nt!)acy.L LThere can be no doubt about the )atter. They )eet' they &r!te' there !s a co)%lete understand!ng bet&een the). <o&' th!s %uts a ery %o&erful &ea%on !nto our hands. ,f , could only use !t to detach h!s &!feDDL LH!s &!feRL L, a) g! !ng you so)e !nfor)at!on no&' !n return for all that you

ha e g! en )e. The lady &ho has %assed here as >!ss 0ta%leton !s !n real!ty h!s &!fe.L LGood hea ens' Hol)es( Are you sure of &hat you sayR Ho& could he ha e %er)!tted 0!r Henry to fall !n lo e &!th herRL L0!r Henry's fall!ng !n lo e could do no har) to anyone exce%t 0!r Henry. He took %art!cular care that 0!r Henry d!d not )ake lo e to her' as you ha e yourself obser ed. , re%eat that the lady !s h!s &!fe and not h!s s!ster.L LBut &hy th!s elaborate dece%t!onRL LBecause he foresa& that she &ould be ery )uch )ore useful to h!) !n the character of a free &o)an.L All )y uns%oken !nst!ncts' )y ague sus%!c!ons' suddenly took sha%e and centred u%on the natural!st. ,n that !)%ass! e colourless )an' &!th h!s stra& hat and h!s butterflyDnet' , see)ed to see so)eth!ng terr!bleDDa creature of !nf!n!te %at!ence and craft' &!th a s)!l!ng face and a )urderous heart. L,t !s he' then' &ho !s our ene)yDD!t !s he &ho dogged us !n ?ondonRL L0o , read the r!ddle.L LAnd the &arn!ngDD!t )ust ha e co)e fro) her(L LExactly.L The sha%e of so)e )onstrous !lla!ny' half seen' half guessed' loo)ed through the darkness &h!ch had g!rt )e so long. LBut are you sure of th!s' Hol)esR Ho& do you kno& that the &o)an !s h!s &!feRL LBecause he so far forgot h!)self as to tell you a true %!ece of autob!ogra%hy u%on the occas!on &hen he f!rst )et you' and , dare say he has )any a t!)e regretted !t s!nce. He &as once a school)aster !n the north of England. <o&' there !s no one )ore easy to trace than a school)aster. There are scholast!c agenc!es by &h!ch one )ay !dent!fy any )an &ho has been !n the %rofess!on. A l!ttle !n est!gat!on sho&ed )e that a school had co)e to gr!ef under atroc!ous c!rcu)stances' and that the )an &ho had o&ned !tDDthe na)e &as d!fferentDDhad d!sa%%eared &!th h!s &!fe. The descr!%t!ons agreed. *hen , learned that the )!ss!ng )an &as de oted to ento)ology the !dent!f!cat!on &as co)%lete.L The darkness &as r!s!ng' but )uch &as st!ll h!dden by the shado&s. L,f th!s &o)an !s !n truth h!s &!fe' &here does >rs. ?aura ?yons co)e !nRL , asked. LThat !s one of the %o!nts u%on &h!ch your o&n researches ha e shed a l!ght. :our !nter !e& &!th the lady has cleared the s!tuat!on ery )uch. , d!d not kno& about a %rojected d! orce bet&een herself and her husband. ,n that case' regard!ng 0ta%leton as an un)arr!ed )an' she counted no doubt u%on beco)!ng h!s &!fe.L

 LAnd &hen she !s undece! edRL L*hy' then &e )ay f!nd the lady of ser !ce. ,t )ust be our f!rst duty to see herDDboth of usDDto)orro&. Don't you th!nk' *atson' that you are a&ay fro) your charge rather longR :our %lace should be at Basker !lle Hall.L The last red streaks had faded a&ay !n the &est and n!ght had settled u%on the )oor. A fe& fa!nt stars &ere glea)!ng !n a !olet sky. L5ne last Tuest!on' Hol)es'L , sa!d as , rose. L0urely there !s no need of secrecy bet&een you and )e. *hat !s the )ean!ng of !t allR *hat !s he afterRL Hol)es's o!ce sank as he ans&ered4 L,t !s )urder' *atsonDDref!ned' coldDblooded' del!berate )urder. Do not ask )e for %art!culars. >y nets are clos!ng u%on h!)' e en as h!s are u%on 0!r Henry' and &!th your hel% he !s already al)ost at )y )ercy. There !s but one danger &h!ch can threaten us. ,t !s that he should str!ke before &e are ready to do so. Another dayDDt&o at the )ostDDand , ha e )y case co)%lete' but unt!l then guard your charge as closely as e er a fond )other &atched her a!l!ng ch!ld. :our )!ss!on today has just!f!ed !tself' and yet , could al)ost &!sh that you had not left h!s s!de. Hark(L A terr!ble screa)DDa %rolonged yell of horror and angu!shDDburst out of the s!lence of the )oor. That fr!ghtful cry turned the blood to !ce !n )y e!ns. L5h' )y God(L , gas%ed. L*hat !s !tR *hat does !t )eanRL Hol)es had s%rung to h!s feet' and , sa& h!s dark' athlet!c outl!ne at the door of the hut' h!s shoulders stoo%!ng' h!s head thrust for&ard' h!s face %eer!ng !nto the darkness. LHush(L he &h!s%ered. LHush(L The cry had been loud on account of !ts ehe)ence' but !t had %ealed out fro) so)e&here far off on the shado&y %la!n. <o& !t burst u%on our ears' nearer' louder' )ore urgent than before. L*here !s !tRL Hol)es &h!s%eredK and , kne& fro) the thr!ll of h!s o!ce that he' the )an of !ron' &as shaken to the soul. L*here !s !t' *atsonRL LThere' , th!nk.L , %o!nted !nto the darkness. L<o' there(L Aga!n the agon!;ed cry s&e%t through the s!lent n!ght' louder and )uch nearer than e er. And a ne& sound )!ngled &!th !t' a dee%' )uttered ru)ble' )us!cal and yet )enac!ng' r!s!ng and fall!ng l!ke the lo&' constant )ur)ur of the sea. LThe hound(L cr!ed Hol)es. LCo)e' *atson' co)e( Great hea ens' !f &e are too late(L

 He had started runn!ng s&!ftly o er the )oor' and , had follo&ed at h!s heels. But no& fro) so)e&here a)ong the broken ground !))ed!ately !n front of us there ca)e one last des%a!r!ng yell' and then a dull' hea y thud. *e halted and l!stened. <ot another sound broke the hea y s!lence of the &!ndless n!ght. , sa& Hol)es %ut h!s hand to h!s forehead l!ke a )an d!stracted. He sta)%ed h!s feet u%on the ground. LHe has beaten us' *atson. *e are too late.L L<o' no' surely not(L L-ool that , &as to hold )y hand. And you' *atson' see &hat co)es of abandon!ng your charge( But' by Hea en' !f the &orst has ha%%ened &e'll a enge h!)(L Bl!ndly &e ran through the gloo)' blunder!ng aga!nst boulders' forc!ng our &ay through gorse bushes' %ant!ng u% h!lls and rush!ng do&n slo%es' head!ng al&ays !n the d!rect!on &hence those dreadful sounds had co)e. At e ery r!se Hol)es looked eagerly round h!)' but the shado&s &ere th!ck u%on the )oor' and noth!ng )o ed u%on !ts dreary face. LCan you see anyth!ngRL L<oth!ng.L LBut' hark' &hat !s thatRL A lo& )oan had fallen u%on our ears. There !t &as aga!n u%on our left( 5n that s!de a r!dge of rocks ended !n a sheer cl!ff &h!ch o erlooked a stoneDstre&n slo%e. 5n !ts jagged face &as s%readDeagled so)e dark' !rregular object. As &e ran to&ards !t the ague outl!ne hardened !nto a def!n!te sha%e. ,t &as a %rostrate )an face do&n&ard u%on the ground' the head doubled under h!) at a horr!ble angle' the shoulders rounded and the body hunched together as !f !n the act of thro&!ng a so)ersault. 0o grotesTue &as the att!tude that , could not for the !nstant real!;e that that )oan had been the %ass!ng of h!s soul. <ot a &h!s%er' not a rustle' rose no& fro) the dark f!gure o er &h!ch &e stoo%ed. Hol)es la!d h!s hand u%on h!) and held !t u% aga!n &!th an excla)at!on of horror. The glea) of the )atch &h!ch he struck shone u%on h!s clotted f!ngers and u%on the ghastly %ool &h!ch &!dened slo&ly fro) the crushed skull of the !ct!). And !t shone u%on so)eth!ng else &h!ch turned our hearts s!ck and fa!nt &!th!n usDDthe body of 0!r Henry Basker !lle( There &as no chance of e!ther of us forgett!ng that %ecul!ar ruddy t&eed su!tDDthe ery one &h!ch he had &orn on the f!rst )orn!ng that &e had seen h!) !n Baker 0treet. *e caught the one clear gl!)%se of !t' and then the )atch fl!ckered and &ent out' e en as the ho%e had gone out of our souls. Hol)es groaned' and h!s face gl!))ered &h!te through the darkness. LThe brute( The brute(L , cr!ed &!th clenched hands. L5h Hol)es' , shall ne er forg! e )yself for ha !ng left h!) to h!s fate.L

L, a) )ore to bla)e than you' *atson. ,n order to ha e )y case &ell rounded and co)%lete' , ha e thro&n a&ay the l!fe of )y cl!ent. ,t !s the greatest blo& &h!ch has befallen )e !n )y career. But ho& could , kno&DDho& could l kno&DDthat he &ould r!sk h!s l!fe alone u%on the )oor !n the face of all )y &arn!ngsRL LThat &e should ha e heard h!s screa)sDD)y God' those screa)s(DDand yet ha e been unable to sa e h!)( *here !s th!s brute of a hound &h!ch dro e h!) to h!s deathR ,t )ay be lurk!ng a)ong these rocks at th!s !nstant. And 0ta%leton' &here !s heR He shall ans&er for th!s deed.L LHe shall. , &!ll see to that. =ncle and ne%he& ha e been )urderedDDthe one fr!ghtened to death by the ery s!ght of a beast &h!ch he thought to be su%ernatural' the other dr! en to h!s end !n h!s &!ld fl!ght to esca%e fro) !t. But no& &e ha e to %ro e the connect!on bet&een the )an and the beast. 0a e fro) &hat &e heard' &e cannot e en s&ear to the ex!stence of the latter' s!nce 0!r Henry has e !dently d!ed fro) the fall. But' by hea ens' cunn!ng as he !s' the fello& shall be !n )y %o&er before another day !s %ast(L *e stood &!th b!tter hearts on e!ther s!de of the )angled body' o er&hel)ed by th!s sudden and !rre ocable d!saster &h!ch had brought all our long and &eary labours to so %!teous an end. Then as the )oon rose &e cl!)bed to the to% of the rocks o er &h!ch our %oor fr!end had fallen' and fro) the su))!t &e ga;ed out o er the shado&y )oor' half s!l er and half gloo). -ar a&ay' )!les off' !n the d!rect!on of Gr!)%en' a s!ngle steady yello& l!ght &as sh!n!ng. ,t could only co)e fro) the lonely abode of the 0ta%letons. *!th a b!tter curse , shook )y f!st at !t as , ga;ed. L*hy should &e not se!;e h!) at onceRL L5ur case !s not co)%lete. The fello& !s &ary and cunn!ng to the last degree. ,t !s not &hat &e kno&' but &hat &e can %ro e. ,f &e )ake one false )o e the !lla!n )ay esca%e us yet.L L*hat can &e doRL LThere &!ll be %lenty for us to do to)orro&. Ton!ght &e can only %erfor) the last off!ces to our %oor fr!end.L Together &e )ade our &ay do&n the %rec!%!tous slo%e and a%%roached the body' black and clear aga!nst the s!l ered stones. The agony of those contorted l!)bs struck )e &!th a s%as) of %a!n and blurred )y eyes &!th tears. L*e )ust send for hel%' Hol)es( *e cannot carry h!) all the &ay to the Hall. Good hea ens' are you )adRL He had uttered a cry and bent o er the body. <o& he &as danc!ng and laugh!ng and &r!ng!ng )y hand. Could th!s be )y stern' selfD conta!ned fr!endR These &ere h!dden f!res' !ndeed( LA beard( A beard( The )an has a beard(L LA beardRL

 L,t !s not the baronetDD!t !sDD&hy' !t !s )y ne!ghbour' the con !ct(L *!th fe er!sh haste &e had turned the body o er' and that dr!%%!ng beard &as %o!nt!ng u% to the cold' clear )oon. There could be no doubt about the beetl!ng forehead' the sunken an!)al eyes. ,t &as !ndeed the sa)e face &h!ch had glared u%on )e !n the l!ght of the candle fro) o er the rockDDthe face of 0elden' the cr!)!nal. Then !n an !nstant !t &as all clear to )e. , re)e)bered ho& the baronet had told )e that he had handed h!s old &ardrobe to Barry)ore. Barry)ore had %assed !t on !n order to hel% 0elden !n h!s esca%e. Boots' sh!rt' ca%DD!t &as all 0!r Henry's. The tragedy &as st!ll black enough' but th!s )an had at least deser ed death by the la&s of h!s country. , told Hol)es ho& the )atter stood' )y heart bubbl!ng o er &!th thankfulness and joy. LThen the clothes ha e been the %oor de !l's death'L sa!d he. L,t !s clear enough that the hound has been la!d on fro) so)e art!cle of 0!r Henry'sDDthe boot &h!ch &as abstracted !n the hotel' !n all %robab!l!tyDDand so ran th!s )an do&n. There !s one ery s!ngular th!ng' ho&e er4 Ho& ca)e 0elden' !n the darkness' to kno& that the hound &as on h!s tra!lRL LHe heard h!).L LTo hear a hound u%on the )oor &ould not &ork a hard )an l!ke th!s con !ct !nto such a %aroxys) of terror that he &ould r!sk reca%ture by screa)!ng &!ldly for hel%. By h!s cr!es he )ust ha e run a long &ay after he kne& the an!)al &as on h!s track. Ho& d!d he kno&RL LA greater )ystery to )e !s &hy th!s hound' %resu)!ng that all our conjectures are correctDDL L, %resu)e noth!ng.L L*ell' then' &hy th!s hound should be loose ton!ght. , su%%ose that !t does not al&ays run loose u%on the )oor. 0ta%leton &ould not let !t go unless he had reason to th!nk that 0!r Henry &ould be there.L L>y d!ff!culty !s the )ore for)!dable of the t&o' for , th!nk that &e shall ery shortly get an ex%lanat!on of yours' &h!le )!ne )ay re)a!n fore er a )ystery. The Tuest!on no& !s' &hat shall &e do &!th th!s %oor &retch's bodyR *e cannot lea e !t here to the foxes and the ra ens.L L, suggest that &e %ut !t !n one of the huts unt!l &e can co))un!cate &!th the %ol!ce.L LExactly. , ha e no doubt that you and , could carry !t so far. Halloa' *atson' &hat's th!sR ,t's the )an h!)self' by all that's &onderful and audac!ous( <ot a &ord to sho& your sus%!c!onsDDnot a &ord' or )y %lans cru)ble to the ground.L A f!gure &as a%%roach!ng us o er the )oor' and , sa& the dull red glo& of a c!gar. The )oon shone u%on h!)' and , could d!st!ngu!sh the da%%er sha%e and jaunty &alk of the natural!st. He sto%%ed &hen he sa& us' and then ca)e on aga!n.

 L*hy' Dr. *atson' that's not you' !s !tR :ou are the last )an that , should ha e ex%ected to see out on the )oor at th!s t!)e of n!ght. But' dear )e' &hat's th!sR 0o)ebody hurtR <otDDdon't tell )e that !t !s our fr!end 0!r Henry(L He hurr!ed %ast )e and stoo%ed o er the dead )an. , heard a shar% !ntake of h!s breath and the c!gar fell fro) h!s f!ngers. L*hoDD&ho's th!sRL he sta))ered. L,t !s 0elden' the )an &ho esca%ed fro) Pr!nceto&n.L 0ta%leton turned a ghastly face u%on us' but by a su%re)e effort he had o erco)e h!s a)a;e)ent and h!s d!sa%%o!nt)ent. He looked shar%ly fro) Hol)es to )e. LDear )e( *hat a ery shock!ng affa!r( Ho& d!d he d!eRL LHe a%%ears to ha e broken h!s neck by fall!ng o er these rocks. >y fr!end and , &ere stroll!ng on the )oor &hen &e heard a cry.L L, heard a cry also. That &as &hat brought )e out. , &as uneasy about 0!r Henry.L L*hy about 0!r Henry !n %art!cularRL , could not hel% ask!ng. LBecause , had suggested that he should co)e o er. *hen he d!d not co)e , &as sur%r!sed' and , naturally beca)e alar)ed for h!s safety &hen , heard cr!es u%on the )oor. By the &ayLDDh!s eyes darted aga!n fro) )y face to Hol)es'sDDLd!d you hear anyth!ng else bes!des a cryRL L<o'L sa!d Hol)esK Ld!d youRL L<o.L L*hat do you )ean' thenRL L5h' you kno& the stor!es that the %easants tell about a %hanto) hound' and so on. ,t !s sa!d to be heard at n!ght u%on the )oor. , &as &onder!ng !f there &ere any e !dence of such a sound ton!ght.L L*e heard noth!ng of the k!nd'L sa!d ,. LAnd &hat !s your theory of th!s %oor fello&'s deathRL L, ha e no doubt that anx!ety and ex%osure ha e dr! en h!) off h!s head. He has rushed about the )oor !n a cra;y state and e entually fallen o er here and broken h!s neck.L LThat see)s the )ost reasonable theory'L sa!d 0ta%leton' and he ga e a s!gh &h!ch , took to !nd!cate h!s rel!ef. L*hat do you th!nk about !t' >r. 0herlock Hol)esRL >y fr!end bo&ed h!s co)%l!)ents. L:ou are Tu!ck at !dent!f!cat!on'L sa!d he. L*e ha e been ex%ect!ng you !n these %arts s!nce Dr. *atson ca)e do&n. :ou are !n t!)e to see a tragedy.L

L:es' !ndeed. , ha e no doubt that )y fr!end's ex%lanat!on &!ll co er the facts. , &!ll take an un%leasant re)e)brance back to ?ondon &!th )e to)orro&.L L5h' you return to)orro&RL LThat !s )y !ntent!on.L L, ho%e your !s!t has cast so)e l!ght u%on those occurrences &h!ch ha e %u;;led usRL Hol)es shrugged h!s shoulders. L5ne cannot al&ays ha e the success for &h!ch one ho%es. An !n est!gator needs facts and not legends or ru)ours. ,t has not been a sat!sfactory case.L >y fr!end s%oke !n h!s frankest and )ost unconcerned )anner. 0ta%leton st!ll looked hard at h!). Then he turned to )e. L, &ould suggest carry!ng th!s %oor fello& to )y house' but !t &ould g! e )y s!ster such a fr!ght that , do not feel just!f!ed !n do!ng !t. , th!nk that !f &e %ut so)eth!ng o er h!s face he &!ll be safe unt!l )orn!ng.L And so !t &as arranged. /es!st!ng 0ta%leton's offer of hos%!tal!ty' Hol)es and , set off to Basker !lle Hall' lea !ng the natural!st to return alone. ?ook!ng back &e sa& the f!gure )o !ng slo&ly a&ay o er the broad )oor' and beh!nd h!) that one black s)udge on the s!l ered slo%e &h!ch sho&ed &here the )an &as ly!ng &ho had co)e so horr!bly to h!s end. Cha%ter 1F -!x!ng the <ets L*e're at close gr!%s at last'L sa!d Hol)es as &e &alked together across the )oor. L*hat a ner e the fello& has( Ho& he %ulled h!)self together !n the face of &hat )ust ha e been a %araly;!ng shock &hen he found that the &rong )an had fallen a !ct!) to h!s %lot. , told you !n ?ondon' *atson' and , tell you no& aga!n' that &e ha e ne er had a foe)an )ore &orthy of our steel.L L, a) sorry that he has seen you.L LAnd so &as , at f!rst. But there &as no gett!ng out of !t.L L*hat effect do you th!nk !t &!ll ha e u%on h!s %lans no& that he kno&s you are hereRL L,t )ay cause h!) to be )ore caut!ous' or !t )ay dr! e h!) to des%erate )easures at once. ?!ke )ost cle er cr!)!nals' he )ay be too conf!dent !n h!s o&n cle erness and !)ag!ne that he has co)%letely dece! ed us.L

L*hy should &e not arrest h!) at onceRL L>y dear *atson' you &ere born to be a )an of act!on. :our !nst!nct !s al&ays to do so)eth!ng energet!c. But su%%os!ng' for argu)ent's sake' that &e had h!) arrested ton!ght' &hat on earth the better off should &e be for thatR *e could %ro e noth!ng aga!nst h!). There's the de !l!sh cunn!ng of !t( ,f he &ere act!ng through a hu)an agent &e could get so)e e !dence' but !f &e &ere to drag th!s great dog to the l!ght of day !t &ould not hel% us !n %utt!ng a ro%e round the neck of !ts )aster.L L0urely &e ha e a case.L L<ot a shado& of oneDDonly sur)!se and conjecture. *e should be laughed out of court !f &e ca)e &!th such a story and such e !dence.L LThere !s 0!r Charles's death.L L-ound dead &!thout a )ark u%on h!). :ou and , kno& that he d!ed of sheer fr!ght' and &e kno& also &hat fr!ghtened h!)' but ho& are &e to get t&el e stol!d jury)en to kno& !tR *hat s!gns are there of a houndR *here are the )arks of !ts fangsR 5f course &e kno& that a hound does not b!te a dead body and that 0!r Charles &as dead before e er the brute o ertook h!). But &e ha e to %ro e all th!s' and &e are not !n a %os!t!on to do !t.L L*ell' then' ton!ghtRL L*e are not )uch better off ton!ght. Aga!n' there &as no d!rect connect!on bet&een the hound and the )an's death. *e ne er sa& the hound. *e heard !t' but &e could not %ro e that !t &as runn!ng u%on th!s )an's tra!l. There !s a co)%lete absence of )ot! e. <o' )y dear fello&K &e )ust reconc!le oursel es to the fact that &e ha e no case at %resent' and that !t !s &orth our &h!le to run any r!sk !n order to establ!sh one.L LAnd ho& do you %ro%ose to do soRL L, ha e great ho%es of &hat >rs. ?aura ?yons )ay do for us &hen the %os!t!on of affa!rs !s )ade clear to her. And , ha e )y o&n %lan as &ell. 0uff!c!ent for to)orro& !s the e !l thereofK but , ho%e before the day !s %ast to ha e the u%%er hand at last.L , could dra& noth!ng further fro) h!)' and he &alked' lost !n thought' as far as the Basker !lle gates. LAre you co)!ng u%RL L:esK , see no reason for further conceal)ent. But one last &ord' *atson. 0ay noth!ng of the hound to 0!r Henry. ?et h!) th!nk that 0elden's death &as as 0ta%leton &ould ha e us bel!e e. He &!ll ha e a better ner e for the ordeal &h!ch he &!ll ha e to undergo to)orro&' &hen he !s engaged' !f , re)e)ber your re%ort ar!ght' to d!ne &!th these %eo%le.L LAnd so a) ,.L LThen you )ust excuse yourself and he )ust go alone. That &!ll be eas!ly arranged. And no&' !f &e are too late for d!nner' ,

th!nk that &e are both ready for our su%%ers.L 0!r Henry &as )ore %leased than sur%r!sed to see 0herlock Hol)es' for he had for so)e days been ex%ect!ng that recent e ents &ould br!ng h!) do&n fro) ?ondon. He d!d ra!se h!s eyebro&s' ho&e er' &hen he found that )y fr!end had ne!ther any luggage nor any ex%lanat!ons for !ts absence. Bet&een us &e soon su%%l!ed h!s &ants' and then o er a belated su%%er &e ex%la!ned to the baronet as )uch of our ex%er!ence as !t see)ed des!rable that he should kno&. But f!rst , had the un%leasant duty of break!ng the ne&s to Barry)ore and h!s &!fe. To h!) !t )ay ha e been an un)!t!gated rel!ef' but she &e%t b!tterly !n her a%ron. To all the &orld he &as the )an of !olence' half an!)al and half de)onK but to her he al&ays re)a!ned the l!ttle &!lful boy of her o&n g!rlhood' the ch!ld &ho had clung to her hand. E !l !ndeed !s the )an &ho has not one &o)an to )ourn h!). L,' e been )o%!ng !n the house all day s!nce *atson &ent off !n the )orn!ng'L sa!d the baronet. L, guess , should ha e so)e cred!t' for , ha e ke%t )y %ro)!se. ,f , hadn't s&orn not to go about alone , )!ght ha e had a )ore l! ely e en!ng' for , had a )essage fro) 0ta%leton ask!ng )e o er there.L L, ha e no doubt that you &ould ha e had a )ore l! ely e en!ng'L sa!d Hol)es dr!ly. LBy the &ay' , don't su%%ose you a%%rec!ate that &e ha e been )ourn!ng o er you as ha !ng broken your neckRL 0!r Henry o%ened h!s eyes. LHo& &as thatRL LTh!s %oor &retch &as dressed !n your clothes. , fear your ser ant &ho ga e the) to h!) )ay get !nto trouble &!th the %ol!ce.L LThat !s unl!kely. There &as no )ark on any of the)' as far as , kno&.L LThat's lucky for h!)DD!n fact' !t's lucky for all of you' s!nce you are all on the &rong s!de of the la& !n th!s )atter. , a) not sure that as a consc!ent!ous detect! e )y f!rst duty !s not to arrest the &hole household. *atson's re%orts are )ost !ncr!)!nat!ng docu)ents.L LBut ho& about the caseRL asked the baronet. LHa e you )ade anyth!ng out of the tangleR , don't kno& that *atson and , are )uch the &!ser s!nce &e ca)e do&n.L L, th!nk that , shall be !n a %os!t!on to )ake the s!tuat!on rather )ore clear to you before long. ,t has been an exceed!ngly d!ff!cult and )ost co)%l!cated bus!ness. There are se eral %o!nts u%on &h!ch &e st!ll &ant l!ghtDDbut !t !s co)!ng all the sa)e.L L*e' e had one ex%er!ence' as *atson has no doubt told you. *e heard the hound on the )oor' so , can s&ear that !t !s not all e)%ty su%erst!t!on. , had so)eth!ng to do &!th dogs &hen , &as out *est' and , kno& one &hen , hear one. ,f you can )u;;le that one and %ut h!) on a cha!n ,'ll be ready to s&ear you are the greatest detect! e of all t!)e.L L, th!nk , &!ll )u;;le h!) and cha!n h!) all r!ght !f you &!ll g! e )e your hel%.L

 L*hate er you tell )e to do , &!ll do.L L.ery goodK and , &!ll ask you also to do !t bl!ndly' &!thout al&ays ask!ng the reason.L LSust as you l!ke.L L,f you &!ll do th!s , th!nk the chances are that our l!ttle %roble) &!ll soon be sol ed. , ha e no doubtDDL He sto%%ed suddenly and stared f!xedly u% o er )y head !nto the a!r. The la)% beat u%on h!s face' and so !ntent &as !t and so st!ll that !t )!ght ha e been that of a clearDcut class!cal statue' a %erson!f!cat!on of alertness and ex%ectat!on. L*hat !s !tRL &e both cr!ed. , could see as he looked do&n that he &as re%ress!ng so)e !nternal e)ot!on. H!s features &ere st!ll co)%osed' but h!s eyes shone &!th a)used exultat!on. LExcuse the ad)!rat!on of a conno!sseur'L sa!d he as he &a ed h!s hand to&ards the l!ne of %ortra!ts &h!ch co ered the o%%os!te &all. L*atson &on't allo& that , kno& anyth!ng of art but that !s )ere jealousy because our !e&s u%on the subject d!ffer. <o&' these are a really ery f!ne ser!es of %ortra!ts.L L*ell' ,') glad to hear you say so'L sa!d 0!r Henry' glanc!ng &!th so)e sur%r!se at )y fr!end. L, don't %retend to kno& )uch about these th!ngs' and ,'d be a better judge of a horse or a steer than of a %!cture. , d!dn't kno& that you found t!)e for such th!ngs.L L, kno& &hat !s good &hen , see !t' and , see !t no&. That's a Vneller' ,'ll s&ear' that lady !n the blue s!lk o er yonder' and the stout gentle)an &!th the &!g ought to be a /eynolds. They are all fa)!ly %ortra!ts' , %resu)eRL LE ery one.L LDo you kno& the na)esRL LBarry)ore has been coach!ng )e !n the)' and , th!nk , can say )y lessons fa!rly &ell.L L*ho !s the gentle)an &!th the telesco%eRL LThat !s /earDAd)!ral Basker !lle' &ho ser ed under /odney !n the *est ,nd!es. The )an &!th the blue coat and the roll of %a%er !s 0!r *!ll!a) Basker !lle' &ho &as Cha!r)an of Co))!ttees of the House of Co))ons under P!tt.L LAnd th!s Ca al!er o%%os!te to )eDDthe one &!th the black el et and the laceRL LAh' you ha e a r!ght to kno& about h!). That !s the cause of all the )!sch!ef' the &!cked Hugo' &ho started the Hound of the Basker !lles. *e're not l!kely to forget h!).L

 , ga;ed &!th !nterest and so)e sur%r!se u%on the %ortra!t. LDear )e(L sa!d Hol)es' Lhe see)s a Tu!et' )eekD)annered )an enough' but , dare say that there &as a lurk!ng de !l !n h!s eyes. , had %!ctured h!) as a )ore robust and ruff!anly %erson.L LThere's no doubt about the authent!c!ty' for the na)e and the date' 1NE3' are on the back of the can as.L Hol)es sa!d l!ttle )ore' but the %!cture of the old roysterer see)ed to ha e a fasc!nat!on for h!)' and h!s eyes &ere cont!nually f!xed u%on !t dur!ng su%%er. ,t &as not unt!l later' &hen 0!r Henry had gone to h!s roo)' that , &as able to follo& the trend of h!s thoughts. He led )e back !nto the banTuet!ngDhall' h!s bedroo) candle !n h!s hand' and he held !t u% aga!nst the t!)eD sta!ned %ortra!t on the &all. LDo you see anyth!ng thereRL , looked at the broad %lu)ed hat' the curl!ng lo eDlocks' the &h!te lace collar' and the stra!ght' se ere face &h!ch &as fra)ed bet&een the). ,t &as not a brutal countenance' but !t &as %r!)' hard' and stern' &!th a f!r)Dset' th!nDl!%%ed )outh' and a coldly !ntolerant eye. L,s !t l!ke anyone you kno&RL LThere !s so)eth!ng of 0!r Henry about the ja&.L LSust a suggest!on' %erha%s. But &a!t an !nstant(L He stood u%on a cha!r' and' hold!ng u% the l!ght !n h!s left hand' he cur ed h!s r!ght ar) o er the broad hat and round the long r!nglets. LGood hea ens(L , cr!ed !n a)a;e)ent. The face of 0ta%leton had s%rung out of the can as. LHa' you see !t no&. >y eyes ha e been tra!ned to exa)!ne faces and not the!r tr!))!ngs. ,t !s the f!rst Tual!ty of a cr!)!nal !n est!gator that he should see through a d!sgu!se.L LBut th!s !s )ar ellous. ,t )!ght be h!s %ortra!t.L L:es' !t !s an !nterest!ng !nstance of a thro&back' &h!ch a%%ears to be both %hys!cal and s%!r!tual. A study of fa)!ly %ortra!ts !s enough to con ert a )an to the doctr!ne of re!ncarnat!on. The fello& !s a Basker !lleDDthat !s e !dent.L L*!th des!gns u%on the success!on.L LExactly. Th!s chance of the %!cture has su%%l!ed us &!th one of our )ost ob !ous )!ss!ng l!nks. *e ha e h!)' *atson' &e ha e h!)' and , dare s&ear that before to)orro& n!ght he &!ll be flutter!ng !n our net as hel%less as one of h!s o&n butterfl!es. A %!n' a cork' and a card' and &e add h!) to the Baker 0treet collect!on(L He burst !nto one of h!s rare f!ts of laughter as he turned a&ay fro) the %!cture. , ha e not heard h!) laugh often' and !t has al&ays boded !ll to so)ebody.

 , &as u% bet!)es !n the )orn!ng' but Hol)es &as afoot earl!er st!ll' for , sa& h!) as , dressed' co)!ng u% the dr! e. L:es' &e should ha e a full day today'L he re)arked' and he rubbed h!s hands &!th the joy of act!on. LThe nets are all !n %lace' and the drag !s about to beg!n. *e'll kno& before the day !s out &hether &e ha e caught our b!g' leanja&ed %!ke' or &hether he has got through the )eshes.L LHa e you been on the )oor alreadyRL L, ha e sent a re%ort fro) Gr!)%en to Pr!nceto&n as to the death of 0elden. , th!nk , can %ro)!se that none of you &!ll be troubled !n the )atter. And , ha e also co))un!cated &!th )y fa!thful Cart&r!ght' &ho &ould certa!nly ha e %!ned a&ay at the door of )y hut' as a dog does at h!s )aster's gra e' !f , had not set h!s )!nd at rest about )y safety.L L*hat !s the next )o eRL LTo see 0!r Henry. Ah' here he !s(L LGoodD)orn!ng' Hol)es'L sa!d the baronet. L:ou look l!ke a general &ho !s %lann!ng a battle &!th h!s ch!ef of the staff.L LThat !s the exact s!tuat!on. *atson &as ask!ng for orders.L LAnd so do ,.L L.ery good. :ou are engaged' as , understand' to d!ne &!th our fr!ends the 0ta%letons ton!ght.L L, ho%e that you &!ll co)e also. They are ery hos%!table %eo%le' and , a) sure that they &ould be ery glad to see you.L L, fear that *atson and , )ust go to ?ondon.L LTo ?ondonRL L:es' , th!nk that &e should be )ore useful there at the %resent juncture.L The baronet's face %erce%t!bly lengthened. L, ho%ed that you &ere go!ng to see )e through th!s bus!ness. The Hall and the )oor are not ery %leasant %laces &hen one !s alone.L L>y dear fello&' you )ust trust )e !)%l!c!tly and do exactly &hat , tell you. :ou can tell your fr!ends that &e should ha e been ha%%y to ha e co)e &!th you' but that urgent bus!ness reTu!red us to be !n to&n. *e ho%e ery soon to return to De onsh!re. *!ll you re)e)ber to g! e the) that )essageRL L,f you !ns!st u%on !t.L LThere !s no alternat! e' , assure you.L

, sa& by the baronet's clouded bro& that he &as dee%ly hurt by &hat he regarded as our desert!on. L*hen do you des!re to goRL he asked coldly. L,))ed!ately after breakfast. *e &!ll dr! e !n to Coo)be Tracey' but *atson &!ll lea e h!s th!ngs as a %ledge that he &!ll co)e back to you. *atson' you &!ll send a note to 0ta%leton to tell h!) that you regret that you cannot co)e.L L, ha e a good )!nd to go to ?ondon &!th you'L sa!d the baronet. L*hy should , stay here aloneRL LBecause !t !s your %ost of duty. Because you ga e )e your &ord that you &ould do as you &ere told' and , tell you to stay.L LAll r!ght' then' ,'ll stay.L L5ne )ore d!rect!on( , &!sh you to dr! e to >err!%!t House. 0end back your tra%' ho&e er' and let the) kno& that you !ntend to &alk ho)e.L LTo &alk across the )oorRL L:es.L LBut that !s the ery th!ng &h!ch you ha e so often caut!oned )e not to do.L LTh!s t!)e you )ay do !t &!th safety. ,f , had not e ery conf!dence !n your ner e and courage , &ould not suggest !t' but !t !s essent!al that you should do !t.L LThen , &!ll do !t.L LAnd as you alue your l!fe do not go across the )oor !n any d!rect!on sa e along the stra!ght %ath &h!ch leads fro) >err!%!t House to the Gr!)%en /oad' and !s your natural &ay ho)e.L L, &!ll do just &hat you say.L L.ery good. , should be glad to get a&ay as soon after breakfast as %oss!ble' so as to reach ?ondon !n the afternoon.L , &as )uch astounded by th!s %rogra))e' though , re)e)bered that Hol)es had sa!d to 0ta%leton on the n!ght before that h!s !s!t &ould ter)!nate next day. ,t had not crossed )y )!nd ho&e er' that he &ould &!sh )e to go &!th h!)' nor could , understand ho& &e could both be absent at a )o)ent &h!ch he h!)self declared to be cr!t!cal. There &as noth!ng for !t' ho&e er' but !)%l!c!t obed!enceK so &e bade goodDbye to our rueful fr!end' and a cou%le of hours after&ards &e &ere at the stat!on of Coo)be Tracey and had d!s%atched the tra% u%on !ts return journey. A s)all boy &as &a!t!ng u%on the %latfor). LAny orders' s!rRL L:ou &!ll take th!s tra!n to to&n' Cart&r!ght. The )o)ent you arr! e you &!ll send a &!re to 0!r Henry Basker !lle' !n )y na)e'

to say that !f he f!nds the %ocketbook &h!ch , ha e dro%%ed he !s to send !t by reg!stered %ost to Baker 0treet.L L:es' s!r.L LAnd ask at the stat!on off!ce !f there !s a )essage for )e.L The boy returned &!th a telegra)' &h!ch Hol)es handed to )e. ,t ran4 *!re rece! ed. Co)!ng do&n &!th uns!gned &arrant. Arr! e f! eD forty. ?estrade. LThat !s !n ans&er to )!ne of th!s )orn!ng. He !s the best of the %rofess!onals' , th!nk' and &e )ay need h!s ass!stance. <o&' *atson' , th!nk that &e cannot e)%loy our t!)e better than by call!ng u%on your acTua!ntance' >rs. ?aura ?yons.L H!s %lan of ca)%a!gn &as beg!nn!ng to be e !dent. He &ould use the baronet !n order to con !nce the 0ta%letons that &e &ere really gone' &h!le &e should actually return at the !nstant &hen &e &ere l!kely to be needed. That telegra) fro) ?ondon' !f )ent!oned by 0!r Henry to the 0ta%letons' )ust re)o e the last sus%!c!ons fro) the!r )!nds. Already , see)ed to see our nets dra&!ng closer around that leanja&ed %!ke. >rs. ?aura ?yons &as !n her off!ce' and 0herlock Hol)es o%ened h!s !nter !e& &!th a frankness and d!rectness &h!ch cons!derably a)a;ed her. L, a) !n est!gat!ng the c!rcu)stances &h!ch attended the death of the late 0!r Charles Basker !lle'L sa!d he. L>y fr!end here' Dr. *atson' has !nfor)ed )e of &hat you ha e co))un!cated' and also of &hat you ha e &!thheld !n connect!on &!th that )atter.L L*hat ha e , &!thheldRL she asked def!antly. L:ou ha e confessed that you asked 0!r Charles to be at the gate at ten o'clock. *e kno& that that &as the %lace and hour of h!s death. :ou ha e &!thheld &hat the connect!on !s bet&een these e ents.L LThere !s no connect!on.L L,n that case the co!nc!dence )ust !ndeed be an extraord!nary one. But , th!nk that &e shall succeed !n establ!sh!ng a connect!on' after all. , &!sh to be %erfectly frank &!th you' >rs. ?yons. *e regard th!s case as one of )urder' and the e !dence )ay !)%l!cate not only your fr!end >r. 0ta%leton but h!s &!fe as &ell.L The lady s%rang fro) her cha!r. LH!s &!fe(L she cr!ed. LThe fact !s no longer a secret. The %erson &ho has %assed for h!s s!ster !s really h!s &!fe.L >rs. ?yons had resu)ed her seat. Her hands &ere gras%!ng the ar)s of her cha!r' and , sa& that the %!nk na!ls had turned &h!te &!th

the %ressure of her gr!%. LH!s &!fe(L she sa!d aga!n. LH!s &!fe( He !s not a )arr!ed )an.L 0herlock Hol)es shrugged h!s shoulders. LPro e !t to )e( Pro e !t to )e( And !f you can do soDD(L The f!erce flash of her eyes sa!d )ore than any &ords. L, ha e co)e %re%ared to do so'L sa!d Hol)es' dra&!ng se eral %a%ers fro) h!s %ocket. LHere !s a %hotogra%h of the cou%le taken !n :ork four years ago. ,t !s !ndorsed '>r. and >rs. .andeleur'' but you &!ll ha e no d!ff!culty !n recogn!;!ng h!)' and her also' !f you kno& her by s!ght. Here are three &r!tten descr!%t!ons by trust&orthy &!tnesses of >r. and >rs. .andeleur' &ho at that t!)e ke%t 0t. 5l! er's %r! ate school. /ead the) and see !f you can doubt the !dent!ty of these %eo%le.L 0he glanced at the)' and then looked u% at us &!th the set' r!g!d face of a des%erate &o)an. L>r. Hol)es'L she sa!d' Lth!s )an had offered )e )arr!age on cond!t!on that , could get a d! orce fro) )y husband. He has l!ed to )e' the !lla!n' !n e ery conce! able &ay. <ot one &ord of truth has he e er told )e. And &hyDD&hyR , !)ag!ned that all &as for )y o&n sake. But no& , see that , &as ne er anyth!ng but a tool !n h!s hands. *hy should , %reser e fa!th &!th h!) &ho ne er ke%t any &!th )eR *hy should , try to sh!eld h!) fro) the conseTuences of h!s o&n &!cked actsR Ask )e &hat you l!ke' and there !s noth!ng &h!ch , shall hold back. 5ne th!ng , s&ear to you' and that !s that &hen , &rote the letter , ne er drea)ed of any har) to the old gentle)an' &ho had been )y k!ndest fr!end.L L, ent!rely bel!e e you' )ada)'L sa!d 0herlock Hol)es. LThe rec!tal of these e ents )ust be ery %a!nful to you' and %erha%s !t &!ll )ake !t eas!er !f , tell you &hat occurred' and you can check )e !f , )ake any )ater!al )!stake. The send!ng of th!s letter &as suggested to you by 0ta%letonRL LHe d!ctated !t.L L, %resu)e that the reason he ga e &as that you &ould rece! e hel% fro) 0!r Charles for the legal ex%enses connected &!th your d! orceRL LExactly.L LAnd then after you had sent the letter he d!ssuaded you fro) kee%!ng the a%%o!nt)entRL LHe told )e that !t &ould hurt h!s selfDres%ect that any other )an should f!nd the )oney for such an object' and that though he &as a %oor )an h!)self he &ould de ote h!s last %enny to re)o !ng the obstacles &h!ch d! !ded us.L LHe a%%ears to be a ery cons!stent character. And then you heard noth!ng unt!l you read the re%orts of the death !n the %a%erRL

L<o.L LAnd he )ade you s&ear to say noth!ng about your a%%o!nt)ent &!th 0!r CharlesRL LHe d!d. He sa!d that the death &as a ery )yster!ous one' and that , should certa!nly be sus%ected !f the facts ca)e out. He fr!ghtened )e !nto re)a!n!ng s!lent.L LUu!te so. But you had your sus%!c!onsRL 0he hes!tated and looked do&n. L, kne& h!)'L she sa!d. LBut !f he had ke%t fa!th &!th )e , should al&ays ha e done so &!th h!).L L, th!nk that on the &hole you ha e had a fortunate esca%e'L sa!d 0herlock Hol)es. L:ou ha e had h!) !n your %o&er and he kne& !t' and yet you are al! e. :ou ha e been &alk!ng for so)e )onths ery near to the edge of a %rec!%!ce. *e )ust &!sh you goodD)orn!ng no&' >rs. ?yons' and !t !s %robable that you &!ll ery shortly hear fro) us aga!n.L L5ur case beco)es rounded off' and d!ff!culty after d!ff!culty th!ns a&ay !n front of us'L sa!d Hol)es as &e stood &a!t!ng for the arr! al of the ex%ress fro) to&n. L, shall soon be !n the %os!t!on of be!ng able to %ut !nto a s!ngle connected narrat! e one of the )ost s!ngular and sensat!onal cr!)es of )odern t!)es. 0tudents of cr!)!nology &!ll re)e)ber the analogous !nc!dents !n Godno' !n ?!ttle /uss!a' !n the year 'NN' and of course there are the Anderson )urders !n <orth Carol!na' but th!s case %ossesses so)e features &h!ch are ent!rely !ts o&n. E en no& &e ha e no clear case aga!nst th!s ery &!ly )an. But , shall be ery )uch sur%r!sed !f !t !s not clear enough before &e go to bed th!s n!ght.L The ?ondon ex%ress ca)e roar!ng !nto the stat!on' and a s)all' &!ry bulldog of a )an had s%rung fro) a f!rstDclass carr!age. *e all three shook hands' and , sa& at once fro) the re erent!al &ay !n &h!ch ?estrade ga;ed at )y co)%an!on that he had learned a good deal s!nce the days &hen they had f!rst &orked together. , could &ell re)e)ber the scorn &h!ch the theor!es of the reasoner used then to exc!te !n the %ract!cal )an. LAnyth!ng goodRL he asked. LThe b!ggest th!ng for years'L sa!d Hol)es. L*e ha e t&o hours before &e need th!nk of start!ng. , th!nk &e )!ght e)%loy !t !n gett!ng so)e d!nner and then' ?estrade' &e &!ll take the ?ondon fog out of your throat by g! !ng you a breath of the %ure n!ght a!r of Dart)oor. <e er been thereR Ah' &ell' , don't su%%ose you &!ll forget your f!rst !s!t.L Cha%ter 1E The Hound of the Basker !lles

 5ne of 0herlock Hol)es's defectsDD!f' !ndeed' one )ay call !t a defectDD&as that he &as exceed!ngly loath to co))un!cate h!s full %lans to any other %erson unt!l the !nstant of the!r fulf!l)ent. Partly !t ca)e no doubt fro) h!s o&n )asterful nature' &h!ch lo ed to do)!nate and sur%r!se those &ho &ere around h!). Partly also fro) h!s %rofess!onal caut!on' &h!ch urged h!) ne er to take any chances. The result' ho&e er' &as ery try!ng for those &ho &ere act!ng as h!s agents and ass!stants. , had often suffered under !t' but ne er )ore so than dur!ng that long dr! e !n the darkness. The great ordeal &as !n front of usK at last &e &ere about to )ake our f!nal effort' and yet Hol)es had sa!d noth!ng' and , could only sur)!se &hat h!s course of act!on &ould be. >y ner es thr!lled &!th ant!c!%at!on &hen at last the cold &!nd u%on our faces and the dark' o!d s%aces on e!ther s!de of the narro& road told )e that &e &ere back u%on the )oor once aga!n. E ery str!de of the horses and e ery turn of the &heels &as tak!ng us nearer to our su%re)e ad enture. 5ur con ersat!on &as ha)%ered by the %resence of the dr! er of the h!red &agonette' so that &e &ere forced to talk of tr! !al )atters &hen our ner es &ere tense &!th e)ot!on and ant!c!%at!on. ,t &as a rel!ef to )e' after that unnatural restra!nt' &hen &e at last %assed -rankland's house and kne& that &e &ere dra&!ng near to the Hall and to the scene of act!on. *e d!d not dr! e u% to the door but got do&n near the gate of the a enue. The &agonette &as %a!d off and ordered to return to Coo)be Tracey forth&!th' &h!le &e started to &alk to >err!%!t House. LAre you ar)ed' ?estradeRL The l!ttle detect! e s)!led. LAs long as , ha e )y trousers , ha e a h!%D%ocket' and as long as , ha e )y h!%D%ocket , ha e so)eth!ng !n !t.L LGood( >y fr!end and , are also ready for e)ergenc!es.L L:ou're )!ghty close about th!s affa!r' >r. Hol)es. *hat's the ga)e no&RL LA &a!t!ng ga)e.L L>y &ord' !t does not see) a ery cheerful %lace'L sa!d the detect! e &!th a sh! er' glanc!ng round h!) at the gloo)y slo%es of the h!ll and at the huge lake of fog &h!ch lay o er the Gr!)%en >!re. L, see the l!ghts of a house ahead of us.L LThat !s >err!%!t House and the end of our journey. , )ust reTuest you to &alk on t!%toe and not to talk abo e a &h!s%er.L *e )o ed caut!ously along the track as !f &e &ere bound for the house' but Hol)es halted us &hen &e &ere about t&o hundred yards fro) !t. LTh!s &!ll do'L sa!d he. LThese rocks u%on the r!ght )ake an ad)!rable screen.L L*e are to &a!t hereRL

L:es' &e shall )ake our l!ttle a)bush here. Get !nto th!s hollo&' ?estrade. :ou ha e been !ns!de the house' ha e you not' *atsonR Can you tell the %os!t!on of the roo)sR *hat are those latt!ced &!ndo&s at th!s endRL L, th!nk they are the k!tchen &!ndo&s.L LAnd the one beyond' &h!ch sh!nes so br!ghtlyRL LThat !s certa!nly the d!n!ngDroo).L LThe bl!nds are u%. :ou kno& the l!e of the land best. Cree% for&ard Tu!etly and see &hat they are do!ngDDbut for hea en's sake don't let the) kno& that they are &atched(L , t!%toed do&n the %ath and stoo%ed beh!nd the lo& &all &h!ch surrounded the stunted orchard. Cree%!ng !n !ts shado& , reached a %o!nt &hence , could look stra!ght through the uncurta!ned &!ndo&. There &ere only t&o )en !n the roo)' 0!r Henry and 0ta%leton. They sat &!th the!r %rof!les to&ards )e on e!ther s!de of the round table. Both of the) &ere s)ok!ng c!gars' and coffee and &!ne &ere !n front of the). 0ta%leton &as talk!ng &!th an!)at!on' but the baronet looked %ale and d!stra!t. Perha%s the thought of that lonely &alk across the !llDo)ened )oor &as &e!gh!ng hea !ly u%on h!s )!nd. As , &atched the) 0ta%leton rose and left the roo)' &h!le 0!r Henry f!lled h!s glass aga!n and leaned back !n h!s cha!r' %uff!ng at h!s c!gar. , heard the creak of a door and the cr!s% sound of boots u%on gra el. The ste%s %assed along the %ath on the other s!de of the &all under &h!ch , crouched. ?ook!ng o er' , sa& the natural!st %ause at the door of an outDhouse !n the corner of the orchard. A key turned !n a lock' and as he %assed !n there &as a cur!ous scuffl!ng no!se fro) &!th!n. He &as only a )!nute or so !ns!de' and then , heard the key turn once )ore and he %assed )e and reentered the house. , sa& h!) rejo!n h!s guest' and , cre%t Tu!etly back to &here )y co)%an!ons &ere &a!t!ng to tell the) &hat , had seen. L:ou say' *atson' that the lady !s not thereRL Hol)es asked &hen , had f!n!shed )y re%ort. L<o.L L*here can she be' then' s!nce there !s no l!ght !n any other roo) exce%t the k!tchenRL L, cannot th!nk &here she !s.L , ha e sa!d that o er the great Gr!)%en >!re there hung a dense' &h!te fog. ,t &as dr!ft!ng slo&ly !n our d!rect!on and banked !tself u% l!ke a &all on that s!de of us' lo& but th!ck and &ell def!ned. The )oon shone on !t' and !t looked l!ke a great sh!))er!ng !ceDf!eld' &!th the heads of the d!stant tors as rocks borne u%on !ts surface. Hol)es's face &as turned to&ards !t' and he )uttered !)%at!ently as he &atched !ts slugg!sh dr!ft. L,t's )o !ng to&ards us' *atson.L

 L,s that ser!ousRL L.ery ser!ous' !ndeedDDthe one th!ng u%on earth &h!ch could ha e d!sarranged )y %lans. He can't be ery long' no&. ,t !s already ten o'clock. 5ur success and e en h!s l!fe )ay de%end u%on h!s co)!ng out before the fog !s o er the %ath.L The n!ght &as clear and f!ne abo e us. The stars shone cold and br!ght' &h!le a halfD)oon bathed the &hole scene !n a soft' uncerta!n l!ght. Before us lay the dark bulk of the house' !ts serrated roof and br!stl!ng ch!)neys hard outl!ned aga!nst the s!l erDs%angled sky. Broad bars of golden l!ght fro) the lo&er &!ndo&s stretched across the orchard and the )oor. 5ne of the) &as suddenly shut off. The ser ants had left the k!tchen. There only re)a!ned the la)% !n the d!n!ngDroo) &here the t&o )en' the )urderous host and the unconsc!ous guest' st!ll chatted o er the!r c!gars. E ery )!nute that &h!te &oolly %la!n &h!ch co ered oneDhalf of the )oor &as dr!ft!ng closer and closer to the house. Already the f!rst th!n &!s%s of !t &ere curl!ng across the golden sTuare of the l!ghted &!ndo&. The farther &all of the orchard &as already !n !s!ble' and the trees &ere stand!ng out of a s&!rl of &h!te a%our. As &e &atched !t the fogD&reaths ca)e cra&l!ng round both corners of the house and rolled slo&ly !nto one dense bank on &h!ch the u%%er floor and the roof floated l!ke a strange sh!% u%on a shado&y sea. Hol)es struck h!s hand %ass!onately u%on the rock !n front of us and sta)%ed h!s feet !n h!s !)%at!ence. L,f he !sn't out !n a Tuarter of an hour the %ath &!ll be co ered. ,n half an hour &e &on't be able to see our hands !n front of us.L L0hall &e )o e farther back u%on h!gher groundRL L:es' , th!nk !t &ould be as &ell.L 0o as the fogDbank flo&ed on&ard &e fell back before !t unt!l &e &ere half a )!le fro) the house' and st!ll that dense &h!te sea' &!th the )oon s!l er!ng !ts u%%er edge' s&e%t slo&ly and !nexorably on. L*e are go!ng too far'L sa!d Hol)es. L*e dare not take the chance of h!s be!ng o ertaken before he can reach us. At all costs &e )ust hold our ground &here &e are.L He dro%%ed on h!s knees and cla%%ed h!s ear to the ground. LThank God' , th!nk that , hear h!) co)!ng.L A sound of Tu!ck ste%s broke the s!lence of the )oor. Crouch!ng a)ong the stones &e stared !ntently at the s!l erDt!%%ed bank !n front of us. The ste%s gre& louder' and through the fog' as through a curta!n' there ste%%ed the )an &ho) &e &ere a&a!t!ng. He looked round h!) !n sur%r!se as he e)erged !nto the clear' starl!t n!ght. Then he ca)e s&!ftly along the %ath' %assed close to &here &e lay' and &ent on u% the long slo%e beh!nd us. As he &alked he glanced cont!nually o er e!ther shoulder' l!ke a )an &ho !s !ll at ease. LH!st(L cr!ed Hol)es' and , heard the shar% cl!ck of a cock!ng

%!stol. L?ook out( ,t's co)!ng(L There &as a th!n' cr!s%' cont!nuous %atter fro) so)e&here !n the heart of that cra&l!ng bank. The cloud &as &!th!n f!fty yards of &here &e lay' and &e glared at !t' all three' uncerta!n &hat horror &as about to break fro) the heart of !t. , &as at Hol)es's elbo&' and , glanced for an !nstant at h!s face. ,t &as %ale and exultant' h!s eyes sh!n!ng br!ghtly !n the )oonl!ght. But suddenly they started for&ard !n a r!g!d' f!xed stare' and h!s l!%s %arted !n a)a;e)ent. At the sa)e !nstant ?estrade ga e a yell of terror and thre& h!)self face do&n&ard u%on the ground. , s%rang to )y feet' )y !nert hand gras%!ng )y %!stol' )y )!nd %araly;ed by the dreadful sha%e &h!ch had s%rung out u%on us fro) the shado&s of the fog. A hound !t &as' an enor)ous coalDblack hound' but not such a hound as )ortal eyes ha e e er seen. -!re burst fro) !ts o%en )outh' !ts eyes glo&ed &!th a s)oulder!ng glare' !ts )u;;le and hackles and de&la% &ere outl!ned !n fl!cker!ng fla)e. <e er !n the del!r!ous drea) of a d!sordered bra!n could anyth!ng )ore sa age' )ore a%%all!ng' )ore hell!sh be conce! ed than that dark for) and sa age face &h!ch broke u%on us out of the &all of fog. *!th long bounds the huge black creature &as lea%!ng do&n the track' follo&!ng hard u%on the footste%s of our fr!end. 0o %araly;ed &ere &e by the a%%ar!t!on that &e allo&ed h!) to %ass before &e had reco ered our ner e. Then Hol)es and , both f!red together' and the creature ga e a h!deous ho&l' &h!ch sho&ed that one at least had h!t h!). He d!d not %ause' ho&e er' but bounded on&ard. -ar a&ay on the %ath &e sa& 0!r Henry look!ng back' h!s face &h!te !n the )oonl!ght' h!s hands ra!sed !n horror' glar!ng hel%lessly at the fr!ghtful th!ng &h!ch &as hunt!ng h!) do&n. But that cry of %a!n fro) the hound had blo&n all our fears to the &!nds. ,f he &as ulnerable he &as )ortal' and !f &e could &ound h!) &e could k!ll h!). <e er ha e , seen a )an run as Hol)es ran that n!ght. , a) reckoned fleet of foot' but he out%aced )e as )uch as , out%aced the l!ttle %rofess!onal. ,n front of us as &e fle& u% the track &e heard screa) after screa) fro) 0!r Henry and the dee% roar of the hound. , &as !n t!)e to see the beast s%r!ng u%on !ts !ct!)' hurl h!) to the ground' and &orry at h!s throat. But the next !nstant Hol)es had e)%t!ed f! e barrels of h!s re ol er !nto the creature's flank. *!th a last ho&l of agony and a !c!ous sna% !n the a!r' !t rolled u%on !ts back' four feet %a&!ng fur!ously' and then fell l!)% u%on !ts s!de. , stoo%ed' %ant!ng' and %ressed )y %!stol to the dreadful' sh!))er!ng head' but !t &as useless to %ress the tr!gger. The g!ant hound &as dead. 0!r Henry lay !nsens!ble &here he had fallen. *e tore a&ay h!s collar' and Hol)es breathed a %rayer of grat!tude &hen &e sa& that there &as no s!gn of a &ound and that the rescue had been !n t!)e. Already our fr!end's eyel!ds sh! ered and he )ade a feeble effort to )o e. ?estrade thrust h!s brandyDflask bet&een the baronet's teeth' and t&o fr!ghtened eyes &ere look!ng u% at us. L>y God(L he &h!s%ered. L*hat &as !tR *hat' !n hea en's na)e' &as !tRL L,t's dead' &hate er !t !s'L sa!d Hol)es. L*e' e la!d the fa)!ly ghost once and fore er.L ,n )ere s!;e and strength !t &as a terr!ble creature &h!ch &as

ly!ng stretched before us. ,t &as not a %ure bloodhound and !t &as not a %ure )ast!ffK but !t a%%eared to be a co)b!nat!on of the t&oDDgaunt' sa age' and as large as a s)all l!oness. E en no& !n the st!llness of death' the huge ja&s see)ed to be dr!%%!ng &!th a blu!sh fla)e and the s)all' dee%Dset' cruel eyes &ere r!nged &!th f!re. , %laced )y hand u%on the glo&!ng )u;;le' and as , held the) u% )y o&n f!ngers s)ouldered and glea)ed !n the darkness. LPhos%horus'L , sa!d. LA cunn!ng %re%arat!on of !t'L sa!d Hol)es' sn!ff!ng at the dead an!)al. LThere !s no s)ell &h!ch )!ght ha e !nterfered &!th h!s %o&er of scent. *e o&e you a dee% a%ology' 0!r Henry' for ha !ng ex%osed you to th!s fr!ght. , &as %re%ared for a hound' but not for such a creature as th!s. And the fog ga e us l!ttle t!)e to rece! e h!).L L:ou ha e sa ed )y l!fe.L LHa !ng f!rst endangered !t. Are you strong enough to standRL LG! e )e another )outhful of that brandy and , shall be ready for anyth!ng. 0o( <o&' !f you &!ll hel% )e u%. *hat do you %ro%ose to doRL LTo lea e you here. :ou are not f!t for further ad entures ton!ght. ,f you &!ll &a!t' one or other of us &!ll go back &!th you to the Hall.L He tr!ed to stagger to h!s feetK but he &as st!ll ghastly %ale and tre)bl!ng !n e ery l!)b. *e hel%ed h!) to a rock' &here he sat sh! er!ng &!th h!s face bur!ed !n h!s hands. L*e )ust lea e you no&'L sa!d Hol)es. LThe rest of our &ork )ust be done' and e ery )o)ent !s of !)%ortance. *e ha e our case' and no& &e only &ant our )an. L,t's a thousand to one aga!nst our f!nd!ng h!) at the house'L he cont!nued as &e retraced our ste%s s&!ftly do&n the %ath. LThose shots )ust ha e told h!) that the ga)e &as u%.L L*e &ere so)e d!stance off' and th!s fog )ay ha e deadened the).L LHe follo&ed the hound to call h!) offDDof that you )ay be certa!n. <o' no' he's gone by th!s t!)e( But &e'll search the house and )ake sure.L The front door &as o%en' so &e rushed !n and hurr!ed fro) roo) to roo) to the a)a;e)ent of a dodder!ng old )anser ant' &ho )et us !n the %assage. There &as no l!ght sa e !n the d!n!ngDroo)' but Hol)es caught u% the la)% and left no corner of the house unex%lored. <o s!gn could &e see of the )an &ho) &e &ere chas!ng. 5n the u%%er floor' ho&e er' one of the bedroo) doors &as locked. LThere's so)eone !n here'L cr!ed ?estrade. L, can hear a )o e)ent. 5%en th!s door(L A fa!nt )oan!ng and rustl!ng ca)e fro) &!th!n. Hol)es struck the door just o er the lock &!th the flat of h!s foot and !t fle& o%en.

P!stol !n hand' &e all three rushed !nto the roo). But there &as no s!gn &!th!n !t of that des%erate and def!ant !lla!n &ho) &e ex%ected to see. ,nstead &e &ere faced by an object so strange and so unex%ected that &e stood for a )o)ent star!ng at !t !n a)a;e)ent. The roo) had been fash!oned !nto a s)all )useu)' and the &alls &ere l!ned by a nu)ber of glassDto%%ed cases full of that collect!on of butterfl!es and )oths the for)at!on of &h!ch had been the relaxat!on of th!s co)%lex and dangerous )an. ,n the centre of th!s roo) there &as an u%r!ght bea)' &h!ch had been %laced at so)e %er!od as a su%%ort for the old &or)Deaten baulk of t!)ber &h!ch s%anned the roof. To th!s %ost a f!gure &as t!ed' so s&athed and )uffled !n the sheets &h!ch had been used to secure !t that one could not for the )o)ent tell &hether !t &as that of a )an or a &o)an. 5ne to&el %assed round the throat and &as secured at the back of the %!llar. Another co ered the lo&er %art of the face' and o er !t t&o dark eyesDDeyes full of gr!ef and sha)e and a dreadful Tuest!on!ngDDstared back at us. ,n a )!nute &e had torn off the gag' uns&athed the bonds' and >rs. 0ta%leton sank u%on the floor !n front of us. As her beaut!ful head fell u%on her chest , sa& the clear red &eal of a &h!%lash across her neck. LThe brute(L cr!ed Hol)es. LHere' ?estrade' your brandyDbottle( Put her !n the cha!r( 0he has fa!nted fro) !llDusage and exhaust!on.L 0he o%ened her eyes aga!n. L,s he safeRL she asked. LHas he esca%edRL LHe cannot esca%e us' )ada).L L<o' no' , d!d not )ean )y husband. 0!r HenryR ,s he safeRL L:es.L LAnd the houndRL L,t !s dead.L 0he ga e a long s!gh of sat!sfact!on. LThank God( Thank God( 5h' th!s !lla!n( 0ee ho& he has treated )e(L 0he shot her ar)s out fro) her slee es' and &e sa& &!th horror that they &ere all )ottled &!th bru!ses. LBut th!s !s noth!ngDDnoth!ng( ,t !s )y )!nd and soul that he has tortured and def!led. , could endure !t all' !llDusage' sol!tude' a l!fe of dece%t!on' e eryth!ng' as long as , could st!ll cl!ng to the ho%e that , had h!s lo e' but no& , kno& that !n th!s also , ha e been h!s du%e and h!s tool.L 0he broke !nto %ass!onate sobb!ng as she s%oke. L:ou bear h!) no good &!ll' )ada)'L sa!d Hol)es. LTell us then &here &e shall f!nd h!). ,f you ha e e er a!ded h!) !n e !l' hel% us no& and so atone.L

LThere !s but one %lace &here he can ha e fled'L she ans&ered. LThere !s an old t!n )!ne on an !sland !n the heart of the )!re. ,t &as there that he ke%t h!s hound and there also he had )ade %re%arat!ons so that he )!ght ha e a refuge. That !s &here he &ould fly.L The fogDbank lay l!ke &h!te &ool aga!nst the &!ndo&. Hol)es held the la)% to&ards !t. L0ee'L sa!d he. L<o one could f!nd h!s &ay !nto the Gr!)%en >!re ton!ght.L 0he laughed and cla%%ed her hands. Her eyes and teeth glea)ed &!th f!erce )err!)ent. LHe )ay f!nd h!s &ay !n' but ne er out'L she cr!ed. LHo& can he see the gu!d!ng &ands ton!ghtR *e %lanted the) together' he and ,' to )ark the %ath&ay through the )!re. 5h' !f , could only ha e %lucked the) out today. Then !ndeed you &ould ha e had h!) at your )ercy(L ,t &as e !dent to us that all %ursu!t &as !n a!n unt!l the fog had l!fted. >ean&h!le &e left ?estrade !n %ossess!on of the house &h!le Hol)es and , &ent back &!th the baronet to Basker !lle Hall. The story of the 0ta%letons could no longer be &!thheld fro) h!)' but he took the blo& bra ely &hen he learned the truth about the &o)an &ho) he had lo ed. But the shock of the n!ght's ad entures had shattered h!s ner es' and before )orn!ng he lay del!r!ous !n a h!gh fe er under the care of Dr. >ort!)er. The t&o of the) &ere dest!ned to tra el together round the &orld before 0!r Henry had beco)e once )ore the hale' hearty )an that he had been before he beca)e )aster of that !llDo)ened estate. And no& , co)e ra%!dly to the conclus!on of th!s s!ngular narrat! e' !n &h!ch , ha e tr!ed to )ake the reader share those dark fears and ague sur)!ses &h!ch clouded our l! es so long and ended !n so trag!c a )anner. 5n the )orn!ng after the death of the hound the fog had l!fted and &e &ere gu!ded by >rs. 0ta%leton to the %o!nt &here they had found a %ath&ay through the bog. ,t hel%ed us to real!;e the horror of th!s &o)an's l!fe &hen &e sa& the eagerness and joy &!th &h!ch she la!d us on her husband's track. *e left her stand!ng u%on the th!n %en!nsula of f!r)' %eaty so!l &h!ch ta%ered out !nto the &!des%read bog. -ro) the end of !t a s)all &and %lanted here and there sho&ed &here the %ath ;!g;agged fro) tuft to tuft of rushes a)ong those greenDscu))ed %!ts and foul Tuag)!res &h!ch barred the &ay to the stranger. /ank reeds and lush' sl!)y &aterD%lants sent an odour of decay and a hea y )!as)at!c a%our onto our faces' &h!le a false ste% %lunged us )ore than once th!ghDdee% !nto the dark' Tu! er!ng )!re' &h!ch shook for yards !n soft undulat!ons around our feet. ,ts tenac!ous gr!% %lucked at our heels as &e &alked' and &hen &e sank !nto !t !t &as as !f so)e )al!gnant hand &as tugg!ng us do&n !nto those obscene de%ths' so gr!) and %ur%oseful &as the clutch !n &h!ch !t held us. 5nce only &e sa& a trace that so)eone had %assed that %er!lous &ay before us. -ro) a)!d a tuft of cotton grass &h!ch bore !t u% out of the sl!)e so)e dark th!ng &as %roject!ng. Hol)es sank to h!s &a!st as he ste%%ed fro) the %ath to se!;e !t' and had &e not been there to drag h!) out he could ne er ha e set h!s foot u%on f!r) land aga!n. He held an old black boot !n the a!r.

L>eyers' Toronto'L &as %r!nted on the leather !ns!de. L,t !s &orth a )ud bath'L sa!d he. L,t !s our fr!end 0!r Henry's )!ss!ng boot.L LThro&n there by 0ta%leton !n h!s fl!ght.L LExactly. He reta!ned !t !n h!s hand after us!ng !t to set the hound u%on the track. He fled &hen he kne& the ga)e &as u%' st!ll clutch!ng !t. And he hurled !t a&ay at th!s %o!nt of h!s fl!ght. *e kno& at least that he ca)e so far !n safety.L But )ore than that &e &ere ne er dest!ned to kno&' though there &as )uch &h!ch &e )!ght sur)!se. There &as no chance of f!nd!ng footste%s !n the )!re' for the r!s!ng )ud oo;ed s&!ftly !n u%on the)' but as &e at last reached f!r)er ground beyond the )orass &e all looked eagerly for the). But no sl!ghtest s!gn of the) e er )et our eyes. ,f the earth told a true story' then 0ta%leton ne er reached that !sland of refuge to&ards &h!ch he struggled through the fog u%on that last n!ght. 0o)e&here !n the heart of the great Gr!)%en >!re' do&n !n the foul sl!)e of the huge )orass &h!ch had sucked h!) !n' th!s cold and cruelDhearted )an !s fore er bur!ed. >any traces &e found of h!) !n the bogDg!rt !sland &here he had h!d h!s sa age ally. A huge dr! !ngD&heel and a shaft halfDf!lled &!th rubb!sh sho&ed the %os!t!on of an abandoned )!ne. Bes!de !t &ere the cru)bl!ng re)a!ns of the cottages of the )!ners' dr! en a&ay no doubt by the foul reek of the surround!ng s&a)%. ,n one of these a sta%le and cha!n &!th a Tuant!ty of gna&ed bones sho&ed &here the an!)al had been conf!ned. A skeleton &!th a tangle of bro&n ha!r adher!ng to !t lay a)ong the debr!s. LA dog(L sa!d Hol)es. LBy So e' a curlyDha!red s%an!el. Poor >ort!)er &!ll ne er see h!s %et aga!n. *ell' , do not kno& that th!s %lace conta!ns any secret &h!ch &e ha e not already fatho)ed. He could h!de h!s hound' but he could not hush !ts o!ce' and hence ca)e those cr!es &h!ch e en !n dayl!ght &ere not %leasant to hear. 5n an e)ergency he could kee% the hound !n the outDhouse at >err!%!t' but !t &as al&ays a r!sk' and !t &as only on the su%re)e day' &h!ch he regarded as the end of all h!s efforts' that he dared do !t. Th!s %aste !n the t!n !s no doubt the lu)!nous )!xture &!th &h!ch the creature &as daubed. ,t &as suggested' of course' by the story of the fa)!ly hellDhound' and by the des!re to fr!ghten old 0!r Charles to death. <o &onder the %oor de !l of a con !ct ran and screa)ed' e en as our fr!end d!d' and as &e oursel es )!ght ha e done' &hen he sa& such a creature bound!ng through the darkness of the )oor u%on h!s track. ,t &as a cunn!ng de !ce' for' a%art fro) the chance of dr! !ng your !ct!) to h!s death' &hat %easant &ould enture to !nTu!re too closely !nto such a creature should he get s!ght of !t' as )any ha e done' u%on the )oorR , sa!d !t !n ?ondon' *atson' and , say !t aga!n no&' that ne er yet ha e &e hel%ed to hunt do&n a )ore dangerous )an than he &ho !s ly!ng yonderLDDhe s&e%t h!s long ar) to&ards the huge )ottled ex%anse of greenDs%lotched bog &h!ch stretched a&ay unt!l !t )erged !nto the russet slo%es of the )oor.

 Cha%ter 1$ A /etros%ect!on ,t &as the end of <o e)ber' and Hol)es and , sat' u%on a ra& and foggy n!ght' on e!ther s!de of a bla;!ng f!re !n our s!tt!ngDroo) !n Baker 0treet. 0!nce the trag!c u%shot of our !s!t to De onsh!re he had been engaged !n t&o affa!rs of the ut)ost !)%ortance' !n the f!rst of &h!ch he had ex%osed the atroc!ous conduct of Colonel =%&ood !n connect!on &!th the fa)ous card scandal of the <on%are!l Club' &h!le !n the second he had defended the unfortunate >)e. >ont%ens!er fro) the charge of )urder &h!ch hung o er her !n connect!on &!th the death of her ste%Ddaughter' >lle. Carere' the young lady &ho' as !t &!ll be re)e)bered' &as found s!x )onths later al! e and )arr!ed !n <e& :ork. >y fr!end &as !n excellent s%!r!ts o er the success &h!ch had attended a success!on of d!ff!cult and !)%ortant cases' so that , &as able to !nduce h!) to d!scuss the deta!ls of the Basker !lle )ystery. , had &a!ted %at!ently for the o%%ortun!ty for , &as a&are that he &ould ne er %er)!t cases to o erla%' and that h!s clear and log!cal )!nd &ould not be dra&n fro) !ts %resent &ork to d&ell u%on )e)or!es of the %ast. 0!r Henry and Dr. >ort!)er &ere' ho&e er' !n ?ondon' on the!r &ay to that long oyage &h!ch had been reco))ended for the restorat!on of h!s shattered ner es. They had called u%on us that ery afternoon' so that !t &as natural that the subject should co)e u% for d!scuss!on. LThe &hole course of e ents'L sa!d Hol)es' Lfro) the %o!nt of !e& of the )an &ho called h!)self 0ta%leton &as s!)%le and d!rect' although to us' &ho had no )eans !n the beg!nn!ng of kno&!ng the )ot! es of h!s act!ons and could only learn %art of the facts' !t all a%%eared exceed!ngly co)%lex. , ha e had the ad antage of t&o con ersat!ons &!th >rs. 0ta%leton' and the case has no& been so ent!rely cleared u% that , a) not a&are that there !s anyth!ng &h!ch has re)a!ned a secret to us. :ou &!ll f!nd a fe& notes u%on the )atter under the head!ng B !n )y !ndexed l!st of cases.L LPerha%s you &ould k!ndly g! e )e a sketch of the course of e ents fro) )e)ory.L LCerta!nly' though , cannot guarantee that , carry all the facts !n )y )!nd. ,ntense )ental concentrat!on has a cur!ous &ay of blott!ng out &hat has %assed. The barr!ster &ho has h!s case at h!s f!ngers' ends and !s able to argue &!th an ex%ert u%on h!s o&n subject f!nds that a &eek or t&o of the courts &!ll dr! e !t all out of h!s head once )ore. 0o each of )y cases d!s%laces the last' and >lle. Carere has blurred )y recollect!on of Basker !lle Hall. To)orro& so)e other l!ttle %roble) )ay be sub)!tted to )y not!ce &h!ch &!ll !n turn d!s%ossess the fa!r -rench lady and the !nfa)ous =%&ood. 0o far as the case of the hound goes' ho&e er' , &!ll g! e you the course of e ents as nearly as , can' and you &!ll suggest anyth!ng &h!ch , )ay ha e forgotten. L>y !nTu!r!es sho& beyond all Tuest!on that the fa)!ly %ortra!t d!d not l!e' and that th!s fello& &as !ndeed a Basker !lle. He &as a son of that /odger Basker !lle' the younger brother of 0!r

Charles' &ho fled &!th a s!n!ster re%utat!on to 0outh A)er!ca' &here he &as sa!d to ha e d!ed un)arr!ed. He d!d' as a )atter of fact' )arry' and had one ch!ld' th!s fello&' &hose real na)e !s the sa)e as h!s father's. He )arr!ed Beryl Garc!a' one of the beaut!es of Costa /!ca' and' ha !ng %urlo!ned a cons!derable su) of %ubl!c )oney' he changed h!s na)e to .andeleur and fled to England' &here he establ!shed a school !n the east of :orksh!re. H!s reason for atte)%t!ng th!s s%ec!al l!ne of bus!ness &as that he had struck u% an acTua!ntance &!th a consu)%t! e tutor u%on the oyage ho)e' and that he had used th!s )an's ab!l!ty to )ake the undertak!ng a success. -raser' the tutor' d!ed ho&e er' and the school &h!ch had begun &ell sank fro) d!sre%ute !nto !nfa)y. The .andeleurs found !t con en!ent to change the!r na)e to 0ta%leton' and he brought the re)a!ns of h!s fortune' h!s sche)es for the future' and h!s taste for ento)ology to the south of England. , learned at the Br!t!sh >useu) that he &as a recogn!;ed author!ty u%on the subject' and that the na)e of .andeleur has been %er)anently attached to a certa!n )oth &h!ch he had' !n h!s :orksh!re days' been the f!rst to descr!be. L*e no& co)e to that %ort!on of h!s l!fe &h!ch has %ro ed to be of such !ntense !nterest to us. The fello& had e !dently )ade !nTu!ry and found that only t&o l! es !nter ened bet&een h!) and a aluable estate. *hen he &ent to De onsh!re h!s %lans &ere' , bel!e e' exceed!ngly ha;y' but that he )eant )!sch!ef fro) the f!rst !s e !dent fro) the &ay !n &h!ch he took h!s &!fe &!th h!) !n the character of h!s s!ster. The !dea of us!ng her as a decoy &as clearly already !n h!s )!nd' though he )ay not ha e been certa!n ho& the deta!ls of h!s %lot &ere to be arranged. He )eant !n the end to ha e the estate' and he &as ready to use any tool or run any r!sk for that end. H!s f!rst act &as to establ!sh h!)self as near to h!s ancestral ho)e as he could' and h!s second &as to cult! ate a fr!endsh!% &!th 0!r Charles Basker !lle and &!th the ne!ghbours. LThe baronet h!)self told h!) about the fa)!ly hound' and so %re%ared the &ay for h!s o&n death. 0ta%leton' as , &!ll cont!nue to call h!)' kne& that the old )an's heart &as &eak and that a shock &ould k!ll h!). 0o )uch he had learned fro) Dr. >ort!)er. He had heard also that 0!r Charles &as su%erst!t!ous and had taken th!s gr!) legend ery ser!ously. H!s !ngen!ous )!nd !nstantly suggested a &ay by &h!ch the baronet could be done to death' and yet !t &ould be hardly %oss!ble to br!ng ho)e the gu!lt to the real )urderer. LHa !ng conce! ed the !dea he %roceeded to carry !t out &!th cons!derable f!nesse. An ord!nary sche)er &ould ha e been content to &ork &!th a sa age hound. The use of art!f!c!al )eans to )ake the creature d!abol!cal &as a flash of gen!us u%on h!s %art. The dog he bought !n ?ondon fro) /oss and >angles' the dealers !n -ulha) /oad. ,t &as the strongest and )ost sa age !n the!r %ossess!on. He brought !t do&n by the <orth De on l!ne and &alked a great d!stance o er the )oor so as to get !t ho)e &!thout exc!t!ng any re)arks. He had already on h!s !nsect hunts learned to %enetrate the Gr!)%en >!re' and so had found a safe h!d!ngD%lace for the creature. Here he kennelled !t and &a!ted h!s chance. LBut !t &as so)e t!)e co)!ng. The old gentle)an could not be decoyed outs!de of h!s grounds at n!ght. 0e eral t!)es 0ta%leton

lurked about &!th h!s hound' but &!thout a a!l. ,t &as dur!ng these fru!tless Tuests that he' or rather h!s ally' &as seen by %easants' and that the legend of the de)on dog rece! ed a ne& conf!r)at!on. He had ho%ed that h!s &!fe )!ght lure 0!r Charles to h!s ru!n' but here she %ro ed unex%ectedly !nde%endent. 0he &ould not endea our to entangle the old gentle)an !n a sent!)ental attach)ent &h!ch )!ght del! er h!) o er to h!s ene)y. Threats and e en' , a) sorry to say' blo&s refused to )o e her. 0he &ould ha e noth!ng to do &!th !t' and for a t!)e 0ta%leton &as at a deadlock. LHe found a &ay out of h!s d!ff!cult!es through the chance that 0!r Charles' &ho had conce! ed a fr!endsh!% for h!)' )ade h!) the )!n!ster of h!s char!ty !n the case of th!s unfortunate &o)an' >rs. ?aura ?yons. By re%resent!ng h!)self as a s!ngle )an he acTu!red co)%lete !nfluence o er her' and he ga e her to understand that !n the e ent of her obta!n!ng a d! orce fro) her husband he &ould )arry her. H!s %lans &ere suddenly brought to a head by h!s kno&ledge that 0!r Charles &as about to lea e the Hall on the ad !ce of Dr. >ort!)er' &!th &hose o%!n!on he h!)self %retended to co!nc!de. He )ust act at once' or h!s !ct!) )!ght get beyond h!s %o&er. He therefore %ut %ressure u%on >rs. ?yons to &r!te th!s letter' !)%lor!ng the old )an to g! e her an !nter !e& on the e en!ng before h!s de%arture for ?ondon. He then' by a s%ec!ous argu)ent' %re ented her fro) go!ng' and so had the chance for &h!ch he had &a!ted. LDr! !ng back !n the e en!ng fro) Coo)be Tracey he &as !n t!)e to get h!s hound' to treat !t &!th h!s !nfernal %a!nt' and to br!ng the beast round to the gate at &h!ch he had reason to ex%ect that he &ould f!nd the old gentle)an &a!t!ng. The dog' !nc!ted by !ts )aster' s%rang o er the &!cketDgate and %ursued the unfortunate baronet' &ho fled screa)!ng do&n the ye& alley. ,n that gloo)y tunnel !t )ust !ndeed ha e been a dreadful s!ght to see that huge black creature' &!th !ts fla)!ng ja&s and bla;!ng eyes' bound!ng after !ts !ct!). He fell dead at the end of the alley fro) heart d!sease and terror. The hound had ke%t u%on the grassy border &h!le the baronet had run do&n the %ath' so that no track but the )an's &as !s!ble. 5n see!ng h!) ly!ng st!ll the creature had %robably a%%roached to sn!ff at h!)' but f!nd!ng h!) dead had turned a&ay aga!n. ,t &as then that !t left the %r!nt &h!ch &as actually obser ed by Dr. >ort!)er. The hound &as called off and hurr!ed a&ay to !ts la!r !n the Gr!)%en >!re' and a )ystery &as left &h!ch %u;;led the author!t!es' alar)ed the countrys!de' and f!nally brought the case &!th!n the sco%e of our obser at!on. L0o )uch for the death of 0!r Charles Basker !lle. :ou %erce! e the de !l!sh cunn!ng of !t' for really !t &ould be al)ost !)%oss!ble to )ake a case aga!nst the real )urderer. H!s only acco)%l!ce &as one &ho could ne er g! e h!) a&ay' and the grotesTue' !nconce! able nature of the de !ce only ser ed to )ake !t )ore effect! e. Both of the &o)en concerned !n the case' >rs. 0ta%leton and >rs. ?aura ?yons' &ere left &!th a strong sus%!c!on aga!nst 0ta%leton. >rs. 0ta%leton kne& that he had des!gns u%on the old )an' and also of the ex!stence of the hound. >rs. ?yons kne& ne!ther of these th!ngs' but had been !)%ressed by the death occurr!ng at the t!)e of an uncancelled a%%o!nt)ent &h!ch &as only kno&n to h!). Ho&e er' both of the) &ere under h!s !nfluence' and he had noth!ng to fear fro) the). The f!rst half of h!s task

&as successfully acco)%l!shed but the )ore d!ff!cult st!ll re)a!ned. L,t !s %oss!ble that 0ta%leton d!d not kno& of the ex!stence of an he!r !n Canada. ,n any case he &ould ery soon learn !t fro) h!s fr!end Dr. >ort!)er' and he &as told by the latter all deta!ls about the arr! al of Henry Basker !lle. 0ta%leton's f!rst !dea &as that th!s young stranger fro) Canada )!ght %oss!bly be done to death !n ?ondon &!thout co)!ng do&n to De onsh!re at all. He d!strusted h!s &!fe e er s!nce she had refused to hel% h!) !n lay!ng a tra% for the old )an' and he dared not lea e her long out of h!s s!ght for fear he should lose h!s !nfluence o er her. ,t &as for th!s reason that he took her to ?ondon &!th h!). They lodged' , f!nd' at the >exborough Pr! ate Hotel' !n Cra en 0treet' &h!ch &as actually one of those called u%on by )y agent !n search of e !dence. Here he ke%t h!s &!fe !)%r!soned !n her roo) &h!le he' d!sgu!sed !n a beard' follo&ed Dr. >ort!)er to Baker 0treet and after&ards to the stat!on and to the <orthu)berland Hotel. H!s &!fe had so)e !nkl!ng of h!s %lansK but she had such a fear of her husbandDDa fear founded u%on brutal !llDtreat)entDDthat she dare not &r!te to &arn the )an &ho) she kne& to be !n danger. ,f the letter should fall !nto 0ta%leton's hands her o&n l!fe &ould not be safe. E entually' as &e kno&' she ado%ted the ex%ed!ent of cutt!ng out the &ords &h!ch &ould for) the )essage' and address!ng the letter !n a d!sgu!sed hand. ,t reached the baronet' and ga e h!) the f!rst &arn!ng of h!s danger. L,t &as ery essent!al for 0ta%leton to get so)e art!cle of 0!r Henry's att!re so that' !n case he &as dr! en to use the dog' he )!ght al&ays ha e the )eans of sett!ng h!) u%on h!s track. *!th character!st!c %ro)%tness and audac!ty he set about th!s at once' and &e cannot doubt that the boots or cha)berD)a!d of the hotel &as &ell br!bed to hel% h!) !n h!s des!gn. By chance' ho&e er' the f!rst boot &h!ch &as %rocured for h!) &as a ne& one and' therefore' useless for h!s %ur%ose. He then had !t returned and obta!ned anotherDDa )ost !nstruct! e !nc!dent' s!nce !t %ro ed conclus! ely to )y )!nd that &e &ere deal!ng &!th a real hound' as no other su%%os!t!on could ex%la!n th!s anx!ety to obta!n an old boot and th!s !nd!fference to a ne& one. The )ore outre and grotesTue an !nc!dent !s the )ore carefully !t deser es to be exa)!ned' and the ery %o!nt &h!ch a%%ears to co)%l!cate a case !s' &hen duly cons!dered and sc!ent!f!cally handled' the one &h!ch !s )ost l!kely to eluc!date !t. LThen &e had the !s!t fro) our fr!ends next )orn!ng' shado&ed al&ays by 0ta%leton !n the cab. -ro) h!s kno&ledge of our roo)s and of )y a%%earance' as &ell as fro) h!s general conduct' , a) !ncl!ned to th!nk that 0ta%leton's career of cr!)e has been by no )eans l!)!ted to th!s s!ngle Basker !lle affa!r. ,t !s suggest! e that dur!ng the last three years there ha e been four cons!derable burglar!es !n the &est country' for none of &h!ch &as any cr!)!nal e er arrested. The last of these' at -olkestone Court' !n >ay' &as re)arkable for the coldDblooded %!stoll!ng of the %age' &ho sur%r!sed the )asked and sol!tary burglar. , cannot doubt that 0ta%leton recru!ted h!s &an!ng resources !n th!s fash!on' and that for years he has been a des%erate and dangerous )an. L*e had an exa)%le of h!s read!ness of resource that )orn!ng &hen he got a&ay fro) us so successfully' and also of h!s audac!ty !n send!ng back )y o&n na)e to )e through the cab)an. -ro) that

)o)ent he understood that , had taken o er the case !n ?ondon' and that therefore there &as no chance for h!) there. He returned to Dart)oor and a&a!ted the arr! al of the baronet.L L5ne )o)ent(L sa!d ,. L:ou ha e' no doubt' descr!bed the seTuence of e ents correctly' but there !s one %o!nt &h!ch you ha e left unex%la!ned. *hat beca)e of the hound &hen !ts )aster &as !n ?ondonRL L, ha e g! en so)e attent!on to th!s )atter and !t !s undoubtedly of !)%ortance. There can be no Tuest!on that 0ta%leton had a conf!dant' though !t !s unl!kely that he e er %laced h!)self !n h!s %o&er by shar!ng all h!s %lans &!th h!). There &as an old )anser ant at >err!%!t House' &hose na)e &as Anthony. H!s connect!on &!th the 0ta%letons can be traced for se eral years' as far back as the school)aster!ng days' so that he )ust ha e been a&are that h!s )aster and )!stress &ere really husband and &!fe. Th!s )an has d!sa%%eared and has esca%ed fro) the country. ,t !s suggest! e that Anthony !s not a co))on na)e !n England' &h!le Anton!o !s so !n all 0%an!sh or 0%an!shDA)er!can countr!es. The )an' l!ke >rs. 0ta%leton herself' s%oke good Engl!sh' but &!th a cur!ous l!s%!ng accent. , ha e )yself seen th!s old )an cross the Gr!)%en >!re by the %ath &h!ch 0ta%leton had )arked out. ,t !s ery %robable' therefore' that !n the absence of h!s )aster !t &as he &ho cared for the hound' though he )ay ne er ha e kno&n the %ur%ose for &h!ch the beast &as used. LThe 0ta%letons then &ent do&n to De onsh!re' &h!ther they &ere soon follo&ed by 0!r Henry and you. 5ne &ord no& as to ho& , stood )yself at that t!)e. ,t )ay %oss!bly recur to your )e)ory that &hen , exa)!ned the %a%er u%on &h!ch the %r!nted &ords &ere fastened , )ade a close !ns%ect!on for the &aterD)ark. ,n do!ng so , held !t &!th!n a fe& !nches of )y eyes' and &as consc!ous of a fa!nt s)ell of the scent kno&n as &h!te jessa)!ne. There are se entyDf! e %erfu)es' &h!ch !t !s ery necessary that a cr!)!nal ex%ert should be able to d!st!ngu!sh fro) each other' and cases ha e )ore than once &!th!n )y o&n ex%er!ence de%ended u%on the!r %ro)%t recogn!t!on. The scent suggested the %resence of a lady' and already )y thoughts began to turn to&ards the 0ta%letons. Thus , had )ade certa!n of the hound' and had guessed at the cr!)!nal before e er &e &ent to the &est country. L,t &as )y ga)e to &atch 0ta%leton. ,t &as e !dent' ho&e er' that , could not do th!s !f , &ere &!th you' s!nce he &ould be keenly on h!s guard. , dece! ed e erybody' therefore' yourself !ncluded' and , ca)e do&n secretly &hen , &as su%%osed to be !n ?ondon. >y hardsh!%s &ere not so great as you !)ag!ned' though such tr!fl!ng deta!ls )ust ne er !nterfere &!th the !n est!gat!on of a case. , stayed for the )ost %art at Coo)be Tracey' and only used the hut u%on the )oor &hen !t &as necessary to be near the scene of act!on. Cart&r!ght had co)e do&n &!th )e' and !n h!s d!sgu!se as a country boy he &as of great ass!stance to )e. , &as de%endent u%on h!) for food and clean l!nen. *hen , &as &atch!ng 0ta%leton' Cart&r!ght &as freTuently &atch!ng you' so that , &as able to kee% )y hand u%on all the str!ngs. L, ha e already told you that your re%orts reached )e ra%!dly' be!ng for&arded !nstantly fro) Baker 0treet to Coo)be Tracey. They &ere of great ser !ce to )e' and es%ec!ally that one !nc!dentally truthful %!ece of b!ogra%hy of 0ta%leton's. , &as

able to establ!sh the !dent!ty of the )an and the &o)an and kne& at last exactly ho& , stood. The case had been cons!derably co)%l!cated through the !nc!dent of the esca%ed con !ct and the relat!ons bet&een h!) and the Barry)ores. Th!s also you cleared u% !n a ery effect! e &ay' though , had already co)e to the sa)e conclus!ons fro) )y o&n obser at!ons. LBy the t!)e that you d!sco ered )e u%on the )oor , had a co)%lete kno&ledge of the &hole bus!ness' but , had not a case &h!ch could go to a jury. E en 0ta%leton's atte)%t u%on 0!r Henry that n!ght &h!ch ended !n the death of the unfortunate con !ct d!d not hel% us )uch !n %ro !ng )urder aga!nst our )an. There see)ed to be no alternat! e but to catch h!) redDhanded' and to do so &e had to use 0!r Henry' alone and a%%arently un%rotected' as a ba!t. *e d!d so' and at the cost of a se ere shock to our cl!ent &e succeeded !n co)%let!ng our case and dr! !ng 0ta%leton to h!s destruct!on. That 0!r Henry should ha e been ex%osed to th!s !s' , )ust confess' a re%roach to )y )anage)ent of the case' but &e had no )eans of foresee!ng the terr!ble and %araly;!ng s%ectacle &h!ch the beast %resented' nor could &e %red!ct the fog &h!ch enabled h!) to burst u%on us at such short not!ce. *e succeeded !n our object at a cost &h!ch both the s%ec!al!st and Dr. >ort!)er assure )e &!ll be a te)%orary one. A long journey )ay enable our fr!end to reco er not only fro) h!s shattered ner es but also fro) h!s &ounded feel!ngs. H!s lo e for the lady &as dee% and s!ncere' and to h!) the saddest %art of all th!s black bus!ness &as that he should ha e been dece! ed by her. L,t only re)a!ns to !nd!cate the %art &h!ch she had %layed throughout. There can be no doubt that 0ta%leton exerc!sed an !nfluence o er her &h!ch )ay ha e been lo e or )ay ha e been fear' or ery %oss!bly both' s!nce they are by no )eans !nco)%at!ble e)ot!ons. ,t &as' at least' absolutely effect! e. At h!s co))and she consented to %ass as h!s s!ster' though he found the l!)!ts of h!s %o&er o er her &hen he endea oured to )ake her the d!rect accessory to )urder. 0he &as ready to &arn 0!r Henry so far as she could &!thout !)%l!cat!ng her husband' and aga!n and aga!n she tr!ed to do so. 0ta%leton h!)self see)s to ha e been ca%able of jealousy' and &hen he sa& the baronet %ay!ng court to the lady' e en though !t &as %art of h!s o&n %lan' st!ll he could not hel% !nterru%t!ng &!th a %ass!onate outburst &h!ch re ealed the f!ery soul &h!ch h!s selfDconta!ned )anner so cle erly concealed. By encourag!ng the !nt!)acy he )ade !t certa!n that 0!r Henry &ould freTuently co)e to >err!%!t House and that he &ould sooner or later get the o%%ortun!ty &h!ch he des!red. 5n the day of the cr!s!s' ho&e er' h!s &!fe turned suddenly aga!nst h!). 0he had learned so)eth!ng of the death of the con !ct' and she kne& that the hound &as be!ng ke%t !n the outhouse on the e en!ng that 0!r Henry &as co)!ng to d!nner. 0he taxed her husband &!th h!s !ntended cr!)e' and a fur!ous scene follo&ed !n &h!ch he sho&ed her for the f!rst t!)e that she had a r! al !n h!s lo e. Her f!del!ty turned !n an !nstant to b!tter hatred' and he sa& that she &ould betray h!). He t!ed her u%' therefore' that she )!ght ha e no chance of &arn!ng 0!r Henry' and he ho%ed' no doubt' that &hen the &hole countrys!de %ut do&n the baronet's death to the curse of h!s fa)!ly' as they certa!nly &ould do' he could &!n h!s &!fe back to acce%t an acco)%l!shed fact and to kee% s!lent u%on &hat she kne&. ,n th!s , fancy that !n any case he )ade a )!scalculat!on' and that' !f &e had not been there' h!s doo) &ould

none the less ha e been sealed. A &o)an of 0%an!sh blood does not condone such an !njury so l!ghtly. And no&' )y dear *atson' &!thout referr!ng to )y notes' , cannot g! e you a )ore deta!led account of th!s cur!ous case. , do not kno& that anyth!ng essent!al has been left unex%la!ned.L LHe could not ho%e to fr!ghten 0!r Henry to death as he had done the old uncle &!th h!s bog!e hound.L LThe beast &as sa age and halfDstar ed. ,f !ts a%%earance d!d not fr!ghten !ts !ct!) to death' at least !t &ould %araly;e the res!stance &h!ch )!ght be offered.L L<o doubt. There only re)a!ns one d!ff!culty. ,f 0ta%leton ca)e !nto the success!on' ho& could he ex%la!n the fact that he' the he!r' had been l! !ng unannounced under another na)e so close to the %ro%ertyR Ho& could he cla!) !t &!thout caus!ng sus%!c!on and !nTu!ryRL L,t !s a for)!dable d!ff!culty' and , fear that you ask too )uch &hen you ex%ect )e to sol e !t. The %ast and the %resent are &!th!n the f!eld of )y !nTu!ry' but &hat a )an )ay do !n the future !s a hard Tuest!on to ans&er. >rs. 0ta%leton has heard her husband d!scuss the %roble) on se eral occas!ons. There &ere three %oss!ble courses. He )!ght cla!) the %ro%erty fro) 0outh A)er!ca' establ!sh h!s !dent!ty before the Br!t!sh author!t!es there and so obta!n the fortune &!thout e er co)!ng to England at all' or he )!ght ado%t an elaborate d!sgu!se dur!ng the short t!)e that he need be !n ?ondonK or' aga!n' he )!ght furn!sh an acco)%l!ce &!th the %roofs and %a%ers' %utt!ng h!) !n as he!r' and reta!n!ng a cla!) u%on so)e %ro%ort!on of h!s !nco)e. *e cannot doubt fro) &hat &e kno& of h!) that he &ould ha e found so)e &ay out of the d!ff!culty. And no&' )y dear *atson' &e ha e had so)e &eeks of se ere &ork' and for one e en!ng' , th!nk' &e )ay turn our thoughts !nto )ore %leasant channels. , ha e a box for '?es Huguenots.' Ha e you heard the De /es;kesR >!ght , trouble you then to be ready !n half an hour' and &e can sto% at >arc!n!'s for a l!ttle d!nner on the &ayRL End of Project Gutenberg's Etext The Hound of the Basker !lles by Doyle