`Noonecouldhaveknown。WeonlydecidedafterImetDr。Mortimer。’
`ButDr。Mortimerwasnodoubtalreadystoppingthere？’
`No，Ihadbeenstayingwithafriend，’saidthedoctor。`Therewasnopossibleindicationthatweintendedtogotothishotel。’
`Hum！Someoneseemstobeverydeeplyinterestedinyourmovements。’
Outoftheenvelopehetookahalf—sheetoffoolscappaperfoldedintofour。Thisheopenedandspreadflatuponthetable。Acrossthemiddleofitasinglesentencehadbeenformedbytheexpedientofpastingprintedwordsuponit。Itran：
Asyouvalueyourlifeoryourreasonkeepawayfromthemoor。
Theword`moor’onlywasprintedinink。
`Now，’saidSirHenryBaskerville，`perhapsyouwilltellme，Mr。Holmes，whatinthunderisthemeaningofthat，andwhoitisthattakessomuchinterestinmyaffairs？’
`Whatdoyoumakeofit，Dr。Mortimer？Youmustallowthatthereisnothingsupernaturalaboutthis，atanyrate？’
`No，sir，butitmightverywellcomefromsomeonewhowasconvincedthatthebusinessissupernatural。’
`Whatbusiness？’askedSirHenrysharply。`ItseemstomethatallyougentlemenknowagreatdealmorethanIdoaboutmyownaffairs。’
`Youshallshareourknowledgebeforeyouleavethisroom，SirHenry。Ipromiseyouthat，’saidSherlockHolmes。`Wewillconfineourselvesforthepresentwithyourpermissiontothisveryinterestingdocument，whichmusthavebeenputtogetherandpostedyesterdayevening。Haveyouyesterday’sTimes，Watson？’
`Itishereinthecorner。’
`MightItroubleyouforit—theinsidepage，please，withtheleadingarticles？’Heglancedswiftlyoverit，runninghiseyesupanddownthecolumns。
`Capitalarticlethisonfreetrade。Permitmetogiveyouanextractfromit。
`Youmaybecajoledintoimaginingthatyourownspecialtradeoryourownindustrywillbeencouragedbyaprotectivetariff，butitstandstoreasonthatsuchlegislationmustinthelongrunkeepawaywealthfromthecountry，diminishthevalueofourimports，andlowerthegeneralconditionsoflifeinthisisland。
`Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Watson？’criedHolmesinhighglee，rubbinghishandstogetherwithsatisfaction。`Don’tyouthinkthatisanadmirablesentiment？’
Dr。MortimerlookedatHolmeswithanairofprofessionalinterest，andSirHenryBaskervilleturnedapairofpuzzleddarkeyesuponme。
`Idon’tknowmuchaboutthetariffandthingsofthatkind，’
saidhe，`butitseemstomewe’vegotabitoffthetrailsofarasthatnoteisconcerned。’
`Onthecontrary，Ithinkweareparticularlyhotuponthetrail，SirHenry。Watsonhereknowsmoreaboutmymethodsthanyoudo，butIfearthatevenhehasnotquitegraspedthesignificanceofthissentence。’
`No，IconfessthatIseenoconnection。’
`Andyet，mydearWatson，thereissoverycloseaconnectionthattheoneisextractedoutoftheother。``You，’’``your，’’``your，’’
``life，’’``reason，’’``value，’’``keepaway，’’``fromthe。’’Don’tyouseenowwhencethesewordshavebeentaken？’
`Bythunder，you’reright！Well，ifthatisn’tsmart！’criedSirHenry。
`Ifanypossibledoubtremaineditissettledbythefactthat``keepaway’’and``fromthe’’arecutoutinonepiece。’
`Well，now—soitis！’
`Really，Mr。Holmes，thisexceedsanythingwhichIcouldhaveimagined，’saidDr。Mortimer，gazingatmyfriendinamazement。`Icouldunderstandanyonesayingthatthewordswerefromanewspaper;butthatyoushouldnamewhich，andaddthatitcamefromtheleadingarticle，isreallyoneofthemostremarkablethingswhichIhaveeverknown。Howdidyoudoit？’
`Ipresume，Doctor，thatyoucouldtelltheskullofanegrofromthatofanEsquimau？’
`Mostcertainly。’
`Buthow？’
`Becausethatismyspecialhobby。Thedifferencesareobvious。
Thesupra—orbitalcrest，thefacialangle，themaxillarycurve，the—’
`Butthisismyspecialhobby，andthedifferencesareequallyobvious。ThereisasmuchdifferencetomyeyesbetweentheleadedbourgeoistypeofaTimesarticleandtheslovenlyprintofaneveninghalf—pennypaperastherecouldbebetweenyournegroandyourEsquimau。Thedetectionoftypesisoneofthemostelementarybranchesofknowledgetothespecialexpertincrime，thoughIconfessthatoncewhenIwasveryyoungIconfusedtheLeedsMercurywiththeWesternMorningNews。ButaTimesleaderisentirelydistinctive，andthesewordscouldhavebeentakenfromnothingelse。Asitwasdoneyesterdaythestrongprobabilitywasthatweshouldfindthewordsinyesterday’sissue。’
`SofarasIcanfollowyou，then，Mr。Holmes，’saidSirHenryBaskerville，`someonecutoutthismessagewithascissors—’
`Nail—scissors，’saidHolmes。`Youcanseethatitwasaveryshort—bladedscissors，sincethecutterhadtotaketwosnipsover``keepaway。’’
`Thatisso。Someone，then，cutoutthemessagewithapairofshort—bladedscissors，pasteditwithpaste—’
`Gum，’saidHolmes。
`Withgumontothepaper。ButIwanttoknowwhytheword``moor’’
shouldhavebeenwritten？’
`Becausehecouldnotfinditinprint。Theotherwordswereallsimpleandmightbefoundinanyissue，but``moor’’wouldbelesscommon。’
`Why，ofcourse，thatwouldexplainit。Haveyoureadanythingelseinthismessage，Mr。Holmes？’
`Thereareoneortwoindications，andyettheutmostpainshavebeentakentoremoveallclues。Theaddress，youobserveisprintedinroughcharacters。ButtheTimesisapaperwhichisseldomfoundinanyhandsbutthoseofthehighlyeducated。Wemaytakeit，therefore，thattheletterwascomposedbyaneducatedmanwhowishedtoposeasanuneducatedone，andhisefforttoconcealhisownwritingsuggeststhatthatwritingmightbeknown，orcometobeknown，byyou。Again，youwillobservethatthewordsarenotgummedoninanaccurateline，butthatsomearemuchhigherthanothers。``Life，’’forexampleisquiteoutofitsproperplace。Thatmaypointtocarelessnessoritmaypointtoagitationandhurryuponthepartofthecutter。OnthewholeIinclinetothelatterview，sincethematterwasevidentlyimportant，anditisunlikelythatthecomposerofsuchaletterwouldbecareless。Ifhewereinahurryitopensuptheinterestingquestionwhyheshouldbeinahurry，sinceanyletterposteduptoearlymorningwouldreachSirHenrybeforehewouldleavehishotel。Didthecomposerfearaninterruption—andfromwhom？’
`Wearecomingnowratherintotheregionofguesswork，’saidDr。Mortimer。
`Say，rather，intotheregionwherewebalanceprobabilitiesandchoosethemostlikely。Itisthescientificuseoftheimagination，butwehavealwayssomematerialbasisonwhichtostartourspeculation。Now，youwouldcallitaguess，nodoubt，butIamalmostcertainthatthisaddresshasbeenwritteninahotel。’
`Howintheworldcanyousaythat？’
`Ifyouexamineitcarefullyyouwillseethatboththepenandtheinkhavegiventhewritertrouble。Thepenhassplutteredtwiceinasinglewordandhasrundrythreetimesinashortaddress，showingthattherewasverylittleinkinthebottle。Now，aprivatepenorink—bottleisseldomallowedtobeinsuchastate，andthecombinationofthetwomustbequiterare。Butyouknowthehotelinkandthehotelpen，whereitisraretogetanythingelse。Yes，Ihaveverylittlehesitationinsayingthatcouldweexaminethewaste—paperbasketsofthehotelsaroundCharingCrossuntilwefoundtheremainsofthemutilatedTimesleaderwecouldlayourhandsstraightuponthepersonwhosentthissingularmessage。Halloa！Halloa！What’sthis？’
Hewascarefullyexaminingthefoolscap，uponwhichthewordswerepasted，holdingitonlyaninchortwofromhiseyes。
`Well？’
`Nothing，’saidhe，throwingitdown。`Itisablankhalf—sheetofpaper，withoutevenawater—markuponit。Ithinkwehavedrawnasmuchaswecanfromthiscuriousletter;andnow，SirHenry，hasanythingelseofinteresthappenedtoyousinceyouhavebeeninLondon？’
`Why，no，Mr。Holmes。Ithinknot。’
`Youhavenotobservedanyonefolloworwatchyou？’
`Iseemtohavewalkedrightintothethickofadimenovel，’
saidourvisitor。`Whyinthundershouldanyonefolloworwatchme？’
`Wearecomingtothat。Youhavenothingelsetoreporttousbeforewegointothismatter？’
`Well，itdependsuponwhatyouthinkworthreporting。’
`Ithinkanythingoutoftheordinaryroutineoflifewellworthreporting。’
SirHenrysmiled。
`Idon’tknowmuchofBritishlifeyet，forIhavespentnearlyallmytimeintheStatesandinCanada。ButIhopethattoloseoneofyourbootsisnotpartoftheordinaryroutineoflifeoverhere。’
`Youhavelostoneofyourboots？’
`Mydearsir，’criedDr。Mortimer，`itisonlymislaid。Youwillfinditwhenyoureturntothehotel。WhatistheuseoftroublingMr。
Holmeswithtriflesofthiskind？’
`Well，heaskedmeforanythingoutsidetheordinaryroutine。’
`Exactly，’saidHolmes，`howeverfoolishtheincidentmayseem。
Youhavelostoneofyourboots，yousay？’
`Well，mislaidit，anyhow。Iputthembothoutsidemydoorlastnight，andtherewasonlyoneinthemorning。Icouldgetnosenseoutofthechapwhocleansthem。TheworstofitisthatIonlyboughtthepairlastnightintheStrand，andIhaveneverhadthemon。’
`Ifyouhaveneverwornthem，whydidyouputthemouttobecleaned？’
`Theyweretanbootsandhadneverbeenvarnished。ThatwaswhyIputthemout。’
`ThenIunderstandthatonyourarrivalinLondonyesterdayyouwentoutatonceandboughtapairofboots？’
`Ididagooddealofshopping。Dr。Mortimerherewentroundwithme。Yousee，ifIamtobesquiredownthereImustdressthepart，anditmaybethatIhavegotalittlecarelessinmywaysoutWest。AmongotherthingsIboughtthesebrownboots—gavesixdollarsforthem—andhadonestolenbeforeeverIhadthemonmyfeet。’
`Itseemsasingularlyuselessthingtosteal，’saidSherlockHolmes。`IconfessthatIshareDr。Mortimer’sbeliefthatitwillnotbelongbeforethemissingbootisfound。’
`And，now，gentlemen，’saidthebaronetwithdecision，`itseemstomethatIhavespokenquiteenoughaboutthelittlethatIknow。Itistimethatyoukeptyourpromiseandgavemeafullaccountofwhatwearealldrivingat。’
`Yourrequestisaveryreasonableone，’Holmesanswered。`Dr。
Mortimer，Ithinkyoucouldnotdobetterthantotellyourstoryasyoutoldittous。’
Thusencouraged，ourscientificfrienddrewhispapersfromhispocketandpresentedthewholecaseashehaddoneuponthemorningbefore。
SirHenryBaskervillelistenedwiththedeepestattentionandwithanoccasionalexclamationofsurprise。
`Well，Iseemtohavecomeintoaninheritancewithavengeance，’
saidhewhenthelongnarrativewasfinished。`Ofcourse，I’veheardofthehoundeversinceIwasinthenursery。It’sthepetstoryofthefamily，thoughIneverthoughtoftakingitseriouslybefore。Butastomyuncle’sdeath—well，itallseemsboilingupinmyhead，andIcan’tgetitclearyet。Youdon’tseemquitetohavemadeupyourmindwhetherit’sacaseforapolicemanoraclergyman。’
`Precisely。’
`Andnowthere’sthisaffairofthelettertomeatthehotel。
Isupposethatfitsintoitsplace。’
`Itseemstoshowthatsomeoneknowsmorethanwedoaboutwhatgoesonuponthemoor，’saidDr。Mortimer。
`Andalso，’saidHolmes，`thatsomeoneisnotill—disposedtowardsyou，sincetheywarnyouofdanger。’
`Oritmaybethattheywish，fortheirownpurposes，toscaremeaway。’
`Well，ofcourse，thatispossiblealso。Iamverymuchindebtedtoyou，Dr。Mortimer，forintroducingmetoaproblemwhichpresentsseveralinterestingalternatives。Butthepracticalpointwhichwenowhavetodecide，SirHenry，iswhetheritisorisnotadvisableforyoutogotoBaskervilleHall。’
`WhyshouldInotgo？’
`Thereseemstobedanger。’
`Doyoumeandangerfromthisfamilyfiendordoyoumeandangerfromhumanbeings？’
`Well，thatiswhatwehavetofindout。’
`Whicheveritis，myanswerisfixed。Thereisnodevilinhell，Mr。Holmes，andthereisnomanuponearthwhocanpreventmefromgoingtothehomeofmyownpeople，andyoumaytakethattobemyfinalanswer。’
Hisdarkbrowsknittedandhisfaceflushedtoaduskyredashespoke。
ItwasevidentthatthefierytemperoftheBaskervilleswasnotextinctinthistheirlastrepresentative。`Meanwhile，’saidhe，`Ihavehardlyhadtimetothinkoverallthatyouhavetoldme。It’sabigthingforamantohavetounderstandandtodecideatonesitting。Ishouldliketohaveaquiethourbymyselftomakeupmymind。Now，lookhere，Mr。
Holmes，it’shalf—pastelevennowandIamgoingbackrightawaytomyhotel。Supposeyouandyourfriend，Dr。Watson，comeroundandlunchwithusattwo。I’llbeabletotellyoumoreclearlythenhowthisthingstrikesme。’
`Isthatconvenienttoyou，Watson？’
`Perfectly。’
`Thenyoumayexpectus。ShallIhaveacabcalled？’
`I’dprefertowalk，forthisaffairhasflurriedmerather。’
`I’lljoinyouinawalk，withpleasure，’saidhiscompanion。
`Thenwemeetagainattwoo’clock。Aurevoir，andgood—morning！’
Weheardthestepsofourvisitorsdescendthestairandthebangofthefrontdoor。InaninstantHolmeshadchangedfromthelanguiddreamertothemanofaction。
`Yourhatandboots，Watson，quick！Notamomenttolose！’Herushedintohisroominhisdressing—gownandwasbackagaininafewsecondsinafrock—coat。Wehurriedtogetherdownthestairsandintothestreet。
Dr。MortimerandBaskervillewerestillvisibleabouttwohundredyardsaheadofusinthedirectionofOxfordStreet。
`ShallIrunonandstopthem？’
`Notfortheworld，mydearWatson。Iamperfectlysatisfiedwithyourcompanyifyouwilltoleratemine。Ourfriendsarewise，foritiscertainlyaveryfinemorningforawalk。’
Hequickenedhispaceuntilwehaddecreasedthedistancewhichdividedusbyabouthalf。Then，stillkeepingahundredyardsbehind，wefollowedintoOxfordStreetandsodownRegentStreet。Onceourfriendsstoppedandstaredintoashopwindow，uponwhichHolmesdidthesame。
Aninstantafterwardshegavealittlecryofsatisfaction，and，followingthedirectionofhiseagereyes，Isawthatahansomcabwithamaninsidewhichhadhaltedontheothersideofthestreetwasnowproceedingslowlyonwardagain。
`There’sourman，Watson！Comealong！We’llhaveagoodlookathim，ifwecandonomore。’
AtthatinstantIwasawareofabushyblackbeardandapairofpiercingeyesturneduponusthroughthesidewindowofthecab。Instantlythetrapdooratthetopflewup，somethingwasscreamedtothedriver，andthecabflewmadlyoffdownRegentStreet。Holmeslookedeagerlyroundforanother，butno—emptyonewasinsight。Thenhedashedinwildpursuitamidthestreamofthetraffic，butthestartwastoogreat，andalreadythecabwasoutofsight。
`Therenow！’saidHolmesbitterlyasheemergedpantingandwhitewithvexationfromthetideofvehicles。`Waseversuchbadluckandsuchbadmanagement，too？Watson，Watson，ifyouareanhonestmanyouwillrecordthisalsoandsetitagainstmysuccesses！’
`Whowastheman？’
`Ihavenotanidea。’
`Aspy？’
`Well，itwasevidentfromwhatwehaveheardthatBaskervillehasbeenverycloselyshadowedbysomeonesincehehasbeenintown。HowelsecoulditbeknownsoquicklythatitwastheNorthumberlandHotelwhichhehadchosen？IftheyhadfollowedhimthefirstdayIarguedthattheywouldfollowhimalsothesecond。YoumayhaveobservedthatItwicestrolledovertothewindowwhileDr。Mortimerwasreadinghislegend。’
`Yes，Iremember。’
`Iwaslookingoutforloiterersinthestreet，butIsawnone。
Wearedealingwithacleverman，Watson。Thismattercutsverydeep，andthoughIhavenotfinallymadeupmymindwhetheritisabenevolentoramalevolentagencywhichisintouchwithus，Iamconsciousalwaysofpoweranddesign。WhenourfriendsleftIatoncefollowedtheminthehopesofmarkingdowntheirinvisibleattendant。Sowilywashethathehadnottrustedhimselfuponfoot，buthehadavailedhimselfofacabsothathecouldloiterbehindordashpastthemandsoescapetheirnotice。
Hismethodhadtheadditionaladvantagethatiftheyweretotakeacabhewasallreadytofollowthem。Ithas，however，oneobviousdisadvantage。’
`Itputshiminthepowerofthecabman。’
`Exactly。’
`Whatapitywedidnotgetthenumber！’
`MydearWatson，clumsyasIhavebeen，yousurelydonotseriouslyimaginethatIneglectedtogetthenumber？No。2704isourman。Butthatisnousetousforthemoment。’
`Ifailtoseehowyoucouldhavedonemore。’
`OnobservingthecabIshouldhaveinstantlyturnedandwalkedintheotherdirection。Ishouldthenatmyleisurehavehiredasecondcabandfollowedthefirstatarespectfuldistance，or，betterstill，havedriventotheNorthumberlandHotelandwaitedthere。WhenourunknownhadfollowedBaskervillehomeweshouldhavehadtheopportunityofplayinghisowngameuponhimselfandseeingwherehemadefor。Asitis，byanindiscreeteagerness，whichwastakenadvantageofwithextraordinaryquicknessandenergybyouropponent，wehavebetrayedourselvesandlostourman。’
WehadbeensaunteringslowlydownRegentStreetduringthisconversation，andDr。Mortimer，withhiscompanion，hadlongvanishedinfrontofus。
`Thereisnoobjectinourfollowingthem，’saidHolmes。`Theshadowhasdepartedandwillnotreturn。Wemustseewhatfurthercardswehaveinourhandsandplaythemwithdecision。Couldyousweartothatman’sfacewithinthecab？’
`Icouldswearonlytothebeard。’
`AndsocouldI—fromwhichIgatherthatinallprobabilityitwasafalseone。Aclevermanuponsodelicateanerrandhasnouseforabeardsavetoconcealhisfeatures。Comeinhere，Watson！’
Heturnedintooneofthedistrictmessengeroffices，wherehewaswarmlygreetedbythemanager。
`Ah，Wilson，IseeyouhavenotforgottenthelittlecaseinwhichIhadthegoodfortunetohelpyou？’
`No，sir，indeedIhavenot。Yousavedmygoodname，andperhapsmylife。’
`Mydearfellow，youexaggerate。Ihavesomerecollection，Wilson，thatyouhadamongyourboysaladnamedCartwright，whoshowedsomeabilityduringtheinvestigation。’
`Yes，sir，heisstillwithus。’
`Couldyouringhimup？—thankyou！AndIshouldbegladtohavechangeofthisfive—poundnote。’
Aladoffourteen，withabright，keenface，hadobeyedthesummonsofthemanager。Hestoodnowgazingwithgreatreverenceatthefamousdetective。
`LetmehavetheHotelDirectory，’saidHolmes。`Thankyou！Now，Cartwright，therearethenamesoftwenty—threehotelshere，allintheimmediateneighbourhoodofCharingCross。Doyousee？’
`Yes，sir。’
`Youwillvisiteachoftheseinturn。’
`Yes，sir。’
`Youwillbeginineachcasebygivingtheoutsideporteroneshilling。Herearetwenty—threeshillings。’
`Yes，sir。’
`Youwilltellhimthatyouwanttoseethewaste—paperofyesterday。
Youwillsaythatanimportanttelegramhasmiscarriedandthatyouarelookingforit。Youunderstand？’
`Yes，sir。’
`ButwhatyouarereallylookingforisthecentrepageoftheTimeswithsomeholescutinitwithscissors。HereisacopyoftheTimes。Itisthispage。Youcouldeasilyrecognizeit，couldyounot？’
`Yes，sir。’
`Ineachcasetheoutsideporterwillsendforthehallporter，towhomalsoyouwillgiveashilling。Herearetwenty—threeshillings。
Youwillthenlearninpossiblytwentycasesoutofthetwenty—threethatthewasteofthedaybeforehasbeenburnedorremoved。InthethreeothercasesyouwillbeshownaheapofpaperandyouwilllookforthispageoftheTimesamongit。Theoddsareenormouslyagainstyourfindingit。Therearetenshillingsoverincaseofemergencies。LetmehaveareportbywireatBakerStreetbeforeevening。Andnow，Watson，itonlyremainsforustofindoutbywiretheidentityofthecabman，No。2704，andthenwewilldropintooneoftheBondStreetpicturegalleriesandfillinthetimeuntilwearedueatthehotel。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles05[TableofContents]Chapter5ThreeBrokenThreadsSherlockHolmeshad，inaveryremarkabledegree，thepowerofdetachinghismindatwill。Fortwohoursthestrangebusinessinwhichwehadbeeninvolvedappearedtobeforgotten，andhewasentirelyabsorbedinthepicturesofthemodernBelgianmasters。Hewouldtalkofnothingbutart，ofwhichhehadthecrudestideas，fromourleavingthegalleryuntilwefoundourselvesattheNorthumberlandHotel。
`SirHenryBaskervilleisupstairsexpectingyou，’saidtheclerk。
`Heaskedmetoshowyouupatoncewhenyoucame。’
`Haveyouanyobjectiontomylookingatyourregister？’saidHolmes。
`Notintheleast。’
ThebookshowedthattwonameshadbeenaddedafterthatofBaskerville。
OnewasTheophilusJohnsonandfamily，ofNewcastle;theotherMrs。Oldmoreandmaid，ofHighLodge，Alton。
`SurelythatmustbethesameJohnsonwhomIusedtoknow，’saidHolmestotheporter。`Alawyer，ishenot，gray—headed，andwalkswithalimp？’
olderthanyourself。’
`Surelyyouaremistakenabouthistrade？’
`No，sir！hehasusedthishotelformanyyears，andheisverywellknowntous。’
`Ah，thatsettlesit。Mrs。Oldmore，too;Iseemtorememberthename。Excusemycuriosity，butoftenincallingupononefriendonefindsanother。’
`Sheisaninvalidlady，sir。HerhusbandwasoncemayorofGloucester。
Shealwayscomestouswhensheisintown。’
`Thankyou;IamafraidIcannotclaimheracquaintance。Wehaveestablishedamostimportantfactbythesequestions，Watson，’hecontinuedinalowvoiceaswewentupstairstogether。`Weknownowthatthepeoplewhoaresointerestedinourfriendhavenotsettleddowninhisownhotel。
Thatmeansthatwhiletheyare，aswehaveseen，veryanxioustowatchhim，theyareequallyanxiousthatheshouldnotseethem。Now，thisisamostsuggestivefact。’
`Whatdoesitsuggest？’
`Itsuggests—halloa，mydearfellow，whatonearthisthematter？’
AswecameroundthetopofthestairswehadrunupagainstSirHenryBaskervillehimself。Hisfacewasflushedwithanger，andheheldanoldanddustybootinoneofhishands。Sofuriouswashethathewashardlyarticulate，andwhenhedidspeakitwasinamuchbroaderandmoreWesterndialectthananywhichwehadheardfromhiminthemorning。
`Seemstometheyareplayingmeforasuckerinthishotel，’
hecried。`They’llfindthey’vestartedintomonkeywiththewrongmanunlesstheyarecareful。Bythunder，ifthatchapcan’tfindmymissingboottherewillbetrouble。Icantakeajokewiththebest，Mr。Holmes，butthey’vegotabitoverthemarkthistime。’
`Stilllookingforyourboot？’
`Yes，sir，andmeantofindit。’
`But，surely，yousaidthatitwasanewbrownboot？’
`Soitwas，sir。Andnowit’sanoldblackone。’
`What！youdon’tmeantosay？’
`That’sjustwhatIdomeantosay。Ionlyhadthreepairsintheworld—thenewbrown，theoldblack，andthepatentleathers，whichIamwearing。Lastnighttheytookoneofmybrownones，andto—daytheyhavesneakedoneoftheblack。Well，haveyougotit？Speakout，man，anddon’tstandstaring！’
AnagitatedGermanwaiterhadappeareduponthescene。
`No，sir;Ihavemadeinquiryalloverthehotel，butIcanhearnowordofit。’
`Well，eitherthatbootcomesbackbeforesundownorI’llseethemanagerandtellhimthatIgorightstraightoutofthishotel。’
`Itshallbefound，sir—Ipromiseyouthatifyouwillhavealittlepatienceitwillbefound。’
`Minditis，forit’sthelastthingofminethatI’llloseinthisdenofthieves。Well，well，Mr。Holmes，you’llexcusemytroublingyouaboutsuchatrifle—’
`Ithinkit’swellworthtroublingabout。’
`Why，youlookveryseriousoverit。’
`Howdoyouexplainit？’
`Ijustdon’tattempttoexplainit。Itseemstheverymaddest，queerestthingthateverhappenedtome。’
`Thequeerestperhaps—`saidHolmesthoughtfully。
`Whatdoyoumakeofityourself？’
`Well，Idon’tprofesstounderstandityet。Thiscaseofyoursisverycomplex，SirHenry。Whentakeninconjunctionwithyouruncle’sdeathIamnotsurethatofallthefivehundredcasesofcapitalimportancewhichIhavehandledthereisonewhichcutssodeep。Butweholdseveralthreadsinourhands，andtheoddsarethatoneorotherofthemguidesustothetruth。Wemaywastetimeinfollowingthewrongone，butsoonerorlaterwemustcomeupontheright。’
Wehadapleasantluncheoninwhichlittlewassaidofthebusinesswhichhadbroughtustogether。Itwasintheprivatesitting—roomtowhichweafterwardsrepairedthatHolmesaskedBaskervillewhatwerehisintentions。
`TogotoBaskervilleHall。’
`Andwhen？’
`Attheendoftheweek。’
`Onthewhole，’saidHolmes，`Ithinkthatyourdecisionisawiseone。IhaveampleevidencethatyouarebeingdoggedinLondon，andamidthemillionsofthisgreatcityitisdifficulttodiscoverwhothesepeopleareorwhattheirobjectcanbe。Iftheirintentionsareeviltheymightdoyouamischief，andweshouldbepowerlesstopreventit。Youdidnotknow，Dr。Mortimer，thatyouwerefollowedthismorningfrommyhouse？’
Dr。Mortimerstartedviolently。
`Followed！Bywhom？’
`That，unfortunately，iswhatIcannottellyou。HaveyouamongyourneighboursoracquaintancesonDartmooranymanwithablack，fullbeard？’
`No—or，letmesee—why，yes。Barrymore，SirCharles’sbutler，isamanwithafull，blackbeard。’
`Ha！WhereisBarrymore？’
`HeisinchargeoftheHall。’
`Wehadbestascertainifheisreallythere，orifbyanypossibilityhemightbeinLondon。’
`Howcanyoudothat？’
`Givemeatelegraphform。``IsallreadyforSirHenry？’’Thatwilldo。AddresstoMr。Barrymore，BaskervilleHall。Whatisthenearesttelegraph—office？Grimpen。Verygood，wewillsendasecondwiretothepostmaster，Grimpen：``TelegramtoMr。Barrymoretobedeliveredintohisownhand。Ifabsent，pleasereturnwiretoSirHenryBaskerville，NorthumberlandHotel。’’ThatshouldletusknowbeforeeveningwhetherBarrymoreisathispostinDevonshireornot。’
`That’sso，’saidBaskerville。`Bytheway，Dr。Mortimer，whoisthisBarrymore，anyhow？’
`Heisthesonoftheoldcaretaker，whoisdead。TheyhavelookedaftertheHallforfourgenerationsnow。SofarasIknow，heandhiswifeareasrespectableacoupleasanyinthecounty。’
`Atthesametime，’saidBaskerville，`it’sclearenoughthatsolongastherearenoneofthefamilyattheHallthesepeoplehaveamightyfinehomeandnothingtodo。’
`Thatistrue。’
`DidBarrymoreprofitatallbySirCharles’swill？’askedHolmes。
`Heandhiswifehadfivehundredpoundseach。’
`Ha！Didtheyknowthattheywouldreceivethis？’
`Yes;SirCharleswasveryfondoftalkingabouttheprovisionsofhiswill。’
`Thatisveryinteresting。’
`Ihope，’saidDr。Mortimer，`thatyoudonotlookwithsuspiciouseyesuponeveryonewhoreceivedalegacyfromSirCharles，forIalsohadathousandpoundslefttome。’
`Indeed！Andanyoneelse？’
`Thereweremanyinsignificantsumstoindividuals，andalargenumberofpubliccharities。TheresidueallwenttoSirHenry。’
`Andhowmuchwastheresidue？’
`Sevenhundredandfortythousandpounds。’
Holmesraisedhiseyebrowsinsurprise。`Ihadnoideathatsogiganticasumwasinvolved，’saidhe。
`SirCharleshadthereputationofbeingrich，butwedidnotknowhowveryrichhewasuntilwecametoexaminehissecurities。Thetotalvalueoftheestatewascloseontoamillion。’
`Dearme！Itisastakeforwhichamanmightwellplayadesperategame。Andonemorequestion，Dr。Mortimer。Supposingthatanythinghappenedtoouryoungfriendhere—youwillforgivetheunpleasanthypothesis！
—whowouldinherittheestate？’
`SinceRodgerBaskerville，SirCharles’syoungerbrotherdiedunmarried，theestatewoulddescendtotheDesmonds，whoaredistantcousins。
JamesDesmondisanelderlyclergymaninWestmoreland。’
`Thankyou。Thesedetailsareallofgreatinterest。HaveyoumetMr。JamesDesmond？’
`Yes;heoncecamedowntovisitSirCharles。Heisamanofvenerableappearanceandofsaintlylife。IrememberthatherefusedtoacceptanysettlementfromSirCharles，thoughhepressedituponhim。’
`AndthismanofsimpletasteswouldbetheheirtoSirCharles’sthousands。’
`Hewouldbetheheirtotheestatebecausethatisentailed。
Hewouldalsobetheheirtothemoneyunlessitwerewilledotherwisebythepresentowner，whocan，ofcourse，dowhathelikeswithit。’
`Andhaveyoumadeyourwill，SirHenry？’
`No，Mr。Holmes，Ihavenot。I’vehadnotime，foritwasonlyyesterdaythatIlearnedhowmattersstood。ButinanycaseIfeelthatthemoneyshouldgowiththetitleandestate。Thatwasmypooruncle’sidea。HowistheownergoingtorestorethegloriesoftheBaskervillesifhehasnotmoneyenoughtokeepuptheproperty？House，land，anddollarsmustgotogether。’
`Quiteso。Well，SirHenry，IamofonemindwithyouastotheadvisabilityofyourgoingdowntoDevonshirewithoutdelay。ThereisonlyoneprovisionwhichImustmake。Youcertainlymustnotgoalone。’
`Dr。Mortimerreturnswithme。’
`ButDr。Mortimerhashispracticetoattendto，andhishouseismilesawayfromyours。Withallthegoodwillintheworldhemaybeunabletohelpyou。No，SirHenry，youmusttakewithyousomeone，atrustyman，whowillbealwaysbyyourside。’
`Isitpossiblethatyoucouldcomeyourself，Mr。Holmes？’
`IfmatterscametoacrisisIshouldendeavourtobepresentinperson;butyoucanunderstandthat，withmyextensiveconsultingpracticeandwiththeconstantappealswhichreachmefrommanyquarters，itisimpossibleformetobeabsentfromLondonforanindefinitetime。AtthepresentinstantoneofthemostreverednamesinEnglandisbeingbesmirchedbyablackmailer，andonlyIcanstopadisastrousscandal。YouwillseehowimpossibleitisformetogotoDartmoor。’
`Whomwouldyourecommend，then？’
Holmeslaidhishanduponmyarm。
`Ifmyfriendwouldundertakeitthereisnomanwhoisbetterworthhavingatyoursidewhenyouareinatightplace。NoonecansaysomoreconfidentlythanI。’
Thepropositiontookmecompletelybysurprise，butbeforeIhadtimetoanswer，Baskervilleseizedmebythehandandwrungitheartily。
`Well，now，thatisrealkindofyou，Dr。Watson，’saidhe。`Youseehowitiswithme，andyouknowjustasmuchaboutthematterasI
do。IfyouwillcomedowntoBaskervilleHallandseemethroughI’llneverforgetit。’
Thepromiseofadventurehadalwaysafascinationforme，andIwascomplimentedbythewordsofHolmesandbytheeagernesswithwhichthebaronethailedmeasacompanion。
`Iwillcome，withpleasure，’saidI。`IdonotknowhowIcouldemploymytimebetter。’
`Andyouwillreportverycarefullytome，’saidHolmes。`Whenacrisiscomes，asitwilldo，Iwilldirecthowyoushallact。IsupposethatbySaturdayallmightbeready？’
`WouldthatsuitDr。Watson？’
`Perfectly。’
`ThenonSaturday，unlessyouheartothecontrary，weshallmeetattheten—thirtytrainfromPaddington。’
WehadrisentodepartwhenBaskervillegaveacry，oftriumph，anddivingintooneofthecornersoftheroomhedrewabrownbootfromunderacabinet。
`Mymissingboot！’hecried。
`Mayallourdifficultiesvanishaseasily！’saidSherlockHolmes。
`Butitisavery，singularthing，’Dr。Mortimerremarked。`I
searchedthisroomcarefullybeforelunch。’
`AndsodidI，’saidBaskerville。`Every，inchofit。’
`Therewascertainlynobootinitthen。’
`Inthatcasethewaitermusthaveplacedittherewhilewewerelunching。’
TheGermanwassentforbutprofessedtoknownothingofthematter，norcouldanyinquiry，clearitup。Anotheritemhadbeenaddedtothatconstantandapparentlypurposelessseriesofsmallmysterieswhichhadsucceededeachothersorapidly。Settingasidethewholegrimstory，ofSirCharles’sdeath，wehadalineofinexplicableincidentsallwithinthelimitsoftwodays，whichincludedthereceiptoftheprintedletter，theblack—beardedspyinthehansom，thelossofthenewbrownboot，thelossoftheoldblackboot，andnowthereturnofthenewbrownboot。HolmessatinsilenceinthecabaswedrovebacktoBakerStreet，andIknewfromhisdrawnbrowsandkeenfacethathismind，likemyown，wasbusyinendeavouringtoframesomeschemeintowhichallthesestrangeandapparentlydisconnectedepisodescouldbefitted。Allafternoonandlateintotheeveninghesatlostintobaccoandthought。
Justbeforedinnertwotelegramswerehandedin。Thefirstran：
HavejustheardthatBarrymoreisattheHall。BASKERVILLE。Thesecond：
Visitedtwenty—threehotelsasdirected，butsorry，toreportunabletotracecutsheetofTimes。CARTWRlGHT。`Theregotwoofmythreads，Watson。Thereisnothingmorestimulatingthanacasewhereeverythinggoesagainstyou。Wemustcastroundforanotherscent。’
`Wehavestillthecabmanwhodrovethespy。’
`Exactly。IhawwiredtogethisnameandaddressfromtheOfficialRegistry。Ishouldnotbesurprisedifthiswereananswertomyquestion。’
Theringatthebellprovedtobesomethingevenmoresatisfactorythanananswer，however，forthedooropenedandarough—lookingfellowenteredwhowasevidentlythemanhimself。
`IgotamessagefromtheheadofficethatagentatthisaddresshadbeeninquiringforNo。2704，’saidhe。`I’vedrivenmycabthissevenyearsandneverawordofcomplaint。IcameherestraightfromtheYardtoaskyoutoyourfacewhatyouhadagainstme。’
`Ihavenothingintheworldagainstyou，mygoodman，’saidHolmes。
`Onthecontrary，Ihavehalfasovereignforyouifyouwillgivemeaclearanswertomyquestions。’
`Well，I’vehadagooddayandnomistake，’saidthecabmanwithagrin。`Whatwasityouwantedtoask，sir？’
`Firstofallyournameandaddress，incaseIwantyouagain。’
`JohnClayton，3TurpeyStreet，theBorough。MycabisoutofShipley’sYard，nearWaterlooStation。’
SherlockHolmesmadeanoteofit。
`Now，Clayton，tellmeallaboutthefarewhocameandwatchedthishouseatteno’clockthismorningandafterwardsfollowedthetwogentlemendownRegentStreet。’
Themanlookedsurprisedandalittleembarrassed。`Whythere’snogoodmytellingyouthings，foryouseemtoknowasmuchasIdoalready，’
saidhe。`ThetruthisthatthegentlemantoldmethathewasadetectiveandthatIwastosaynothingabouthimtoanyone。’
`Mygoodfellow;thisisaveryseriousbusiness，andyoumayfindyourselfinaprettybadpositionifyoutrytohideanythingfromme。Yousaythatyourfaretoldyouthathewasadetective？’
`Yes，hedid。’
`Whendidhesaythis？’
`Whenheleftme。’
`Didhesayanythingmore？’
`Hementionedhisname。’
Holmescastaswiftglanceoftriumphatme。`Oh，hementionedhisname，didhe？Thatwasimprudent。Whatwasthenamethathementioned？’
`Hisname，’saidthecabman，`wasMr。SherlockHolmes。’
NeverhaveIseenmyfriendmorecompletelytakenabackthanbythecabman’sreply。Foraninstanthesatinsilentamazement。Thenheburstintoaheartylaugh。
`Atouch，Watson—anundeniabletouch！’saidhe。`Ifeelafoilasquickandsuppleasmyown。Hegothomeuponmeveryprettilythattime。
SohisnamewasSherlockHolmes，wasit？’
`Yes，sir，thatwasthegentleman’sname。’
`Excellent！Tellmewhereyoupickedhimupandallthatoccurred。’
`Hehailedmeathalf—pastnineinTrafalgarSquare。Hesaidthathewasadetective，andheofferedmetwoguineasifIwoulddoexactlywhathewantedalldayandasknoquestions。Iwasgladenoughtoagree。
FirstwedrovedowntotheNorthumberlandHotelandwaitedthereuntiltwogentlemencameoutandtookacabfromtherank。Wefollowedtheircabuntilitpulledupsomewherenearhere。’
`Thisverydoor，’saidHolmes。
`Well，Icouldn’tbesureofthat，butIdaresaymyfareknewallaboutit。Wepulleduphalfwaydownthestreetandwaitedanhourandahalf。Thenthetwogentlemenpassedus，walking，andwefolloweddownBakerStreetandalong—’
`Iknow，’saidHolmes。
`Untilwegotthree—quartersdownRegentStreet。Thenmygentlemanthrewupthetrap，andhecriedthatIshoulddriverightawaytoWaterlooStationashardasIcouldgo。Iwhippedupthemareandwewerethereunderthetenminutes。Thenhepaiduphistwoguineas，likeagoodone，andawayhewentintothestation。Onlyjustashewasleavingheturnedroundandhesaid：``ItmightinterestyoutoknowthatyouhavebeendrivingMr。SherlockHolmes。’’That’showIcometoknowthename。’
`Isee。Andyousawnomoreofhim？’
`Notafterhewentintothestation。’
`AndhowwouldyoudescribeMr。SherlockHolmes？’
Thecabmanscratchedhishead。`Well，hewasn’taltogethersuchaneasygentlemantodescribe。I’dputhimatfortyyearsofage，andhewasofamiddleheight，twoorthreeinchesshorterthanyou，sir。Hewasdressedlikeatoff，andhehadablackbeard，cutsquareattheend，andapaleface。Idon’tknowasIcouldsaymorethanthat。’
`Colourofhiseyes？’
`No，Ican’tsaythat。’
`Nothingmorethatyoucanremember？’
`No，sir;nothing。’
`Well，then，hereisyourhalf—sovereign。There’sanotheronewaitingforyouifyoucanbringanymoreinformation。Good—night！’
`Good—night，sir，andthankyou！’
JohnClaytondepartedchuckling，andHolmesturnedtomewithashrugofhisshouldersandaruefulsmile。
`Snapgoesourthirdthread，andweendwherewebegan，’saidhe。`Thecunningrascal！Heknewournumber，knewthatSirHenryBaskervillehadconsultedme，spottedwhoIwasinRegentStreet，conjecturedthatIhadgotthenumberofthecabandwouldlaymyhandsonthedriver，andsosentbackthisaudaciousmessage。Itellyou，Watson，thistimewehavegotafoemanwhoisworthyofoursteel。I’vebeencheckmatedinLondon。
IcanonlywishyoubetterluckinDevonshire。ButI’mnoteasyinmymindaboutit。’
`Aboutwhat？’
`Aboutsendingyou。It’sanuglybusiness，Watson，anuglydangerousbusiness，andthemoreIseeofitthelessIlikeit。Yesmydearfellow，youmaylaugh，butIgiveyoumywordthatIshallbeverygladtohaveyoubacksafeandsoundinBakerStreetoncemore。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles06[TableofContents]Chapter6BaskervilleHallSirHenryBaskervilleandDr。Mortimerwerereadyupontheappointedday，andwestartedasarrangedforDevonshire。Mr。SherlockHolmesdrovewithmetothestationandgavemehislastpartinginjunctionsandadvice。
`Iwillnotbiasyourmindbysuggestingtheoriesorsuspicions，Watson，’saidhe;`Iwishyousimplytoreportfactsinthefullestpossiblemannertome，andyoucanleavemetodothetheorizing。’
`Whatsortoffacts？’Iasked。
`Anythingwhichmayseemtohaveabearinghoweverindirectuponthecase，andespeciallytherelationsbetweenyoungBaskervilleandhisneighboursoranyfreshparticularsconcerningthedeathofSirCharles。
Ihavemadesomeinquiriesmyselfinthelastfewdays，buttheresultshave，Ifear，beennegative。Onethingonlyappearstobecertain，andthatisthatMr。JamesDesmond，whoisthenextheir，isanelderlygentlemanofaveryamiabledisposition，sothatthispersecutiondoesnotarisefromhim。Ireallythinkthatwemayeliminatehimentirelyfromourcalculations。
ThereremainthepeoplewhowillactuallysurroundSirHenryBaskervilleuponthemoor。’
`WoulditnotbewellinthefirstplacetogetridoffthisBarrymorecouple？’
`Bynomeans。Youcouldnotmakeagreatermistake。Iftheyareinnocentitwouldbeacruelinjustice，andiftheyareguiltyweshouldbegivingupallchanceofbringingithometothem。No，no，wewillpreservethemuponourlistofsuspects。ThenthereisagroomattheHall，ifI
rememberright。Therearetwomoorlandfarmers。ThereisourfriendDr。
Mortimer，whomIbelievetobeentirelyhonest，andthereishiswife，ofwhomweknownothing。Thereisthisnaturalist，Stapleton，andthereishissister，whoissaidtobeayoungladyofattractions。ThereisMr。Frankland，ofLafterHall，whoisalsoanunknownfactor，andthereareoneortwootherneighbours。Thesearethefolkwhomustbeyourveryspecialstudy。’
`Iwilldomybest。’
`Youhavearms，Isuppose？’
`Yes，Ithoughtitaswelltotakethem。’
`Mostcertainly。Keepyourrevolvernearyounightandday，andneverrelaxyourprecautions。’
Ourfriendshadalreadysecuredafirst—classcarriageandwerewaitingforusupontheplatform。
`No，wehavenonewsofanykind，’saidDr。Mortimerinanswertomyfriend’squestions。`Icansweartoonething，andthatisthatwehavenotbeenshadowedduringthelasttwodays。Wehavenevergoneoutwithoutkeepingasharpwatch，andnoonecouldhaveescapedournotice。’
`Youhavealwayskepttogether，Ipresume？’
`Exceptyesterdayafternoon。IusuallygiveuponedaytopureamusementwhenIcometotown，soIspentitattheMuseumoftheCollegeofSurgeons。’
`AndIwenttolookatthefolkinthepark，’saidBaskerville。
`Butwehadnotroubleofanykind。’
`Itwasimprudent，allthesame，’saidHolmes，shakinghisheadandlookingverygrave。`Ibeg，SirHenry，thatyouwillnotgoaboutalone。
Somegreatmisfortunewillbefallyouifyoudo。Didyougetyourotherboot？’
`No，sir，itisgoneforever。’
`Indeed。Thatisveryinteresting。Well，good—bye，’headdedasthetrainbegantoglidedowntheplatform。`Bearinmind，SirHenry，oneofthephrasesinthatqueeroldlegendwhichDr。Mortimerhasreadtousandavoidthemoorinthosehoursofdarknesswhenthepowersofevilareexalted。’
Ilookedbackattheplatformwhenwehadleftitfarbehindandsawthetall，austerefigureofHolmesstandingmotionlessandgazingafterus。
Thejourneywasaswiftandpleasantone，andIspentitinmakingthemoreintimateacquaintanceofmytwocompanionsandinplayingwithDr。Mortimer’sspaniel。Inaveryfewhoursthebrownearthhadbecomeruddy，thebrickhadchangedtogranite，andredcowsgrazedinwell—hedgedfieldswherethelushgrassesandmoreluxuriantvegetationspokeofaricher，ifadamper，climate。YoungBaskervillestaredeagerlyoutofthewindowandcriedaloudwithdelightasherecognizedthefamiliarfeaturesoftheDevonscenery。
`I’vebeenoveragoodpartoftheworldsinceIleftit，Dr。
Watson，’saidhe;`butIhaveneverseenaplacetocomparewithit。’
`IneversawaDevonshiremanwhodidnotswearbyhiscounty，’
Iremarked。
`Itdependsuponthebreedofmenquiteasmuchasonthecounty，’
saidDr。Mortimer。`AglanceatourfriendhererevealstheroundedheadoftheCelt，whichcarriesinsideittheCelticenthusiasmandpowerofattachment。PoorSirCharles’sheadwasofaveryraretype，halfGaelic，halfIvernianinitscharacteristics。ButyouwereveryyoungwhenyoulastsawBaskervilleHall，wereyounot？’
`Iwasaboyinmyteensatthetimeofmyfather’sdeathandhadneverseentheHall，forhelivedinalittlecottageontheSouthCoast。ThenceIwentstraighttoafriendinAmerica。ItellyouitisallasnewtomeasitistoDr。Watson，andI’maskeenaspossibletoseethemoor。’
`Areyou？Thenyourwishiseasilygranted，forthereisyourfirstsightofthemoor，’saidDr。Mortimer，pointingoutofthecarriagewindow。
Overthegreensquaresofthefieldsandthelowcurveofawoodthereroseinthedistanceagray，melancholyhill，withastrangejaggedsummit，dimandvagueinthedistance，likesomefantasticlandscapeinadream。Baskervillesatforalongtimehiseyesfixeduponit，andI
readuponhiseagerfacehowmuchitmeanttohim，thisfirstsightofthatstrangespotwherethemenofhisbloodhadheldswaysolongandlefttheirmarksodeep。Therehesat，withhistweedsuitandhisAmericanaccent，inthecornerofaprosaicrailway—carriage，andyetasIlookedathisdarkandexpressivefaceIfeltmorethaneverhowtrueadescendanthewasofthatlonglineofhigh—blooded，fiery，andmasterfulmen。Therewerepride，valour，andstrengthinhisthickbrows，hissensitivenostrils，andhislargehazeleyes。Ifonthatforbiddingmooradifficultanddangerousquestshouldliebeforeus，thiswasatleastacomradeforwhomonemightventuretotakeariskwiththecertaintythathewouldbravelyshareit。
Thetrainpulledupatasmallwaysidestationandwealldescended。
Outside，beyondthelow，whitefence，awagonettewithapairofcobswaswaiting。Ourcomingwasevidentlyagreatevent，forstation—masterandportersclusteredroundustocarryoutourluggage。Itwasasweet，simplecountryspot，butIwassurprisedtoobservethatbythegatetherestoodtwosoldierlymenindarkuniformswholeanedupontheirshortriflesandglancedkeenlyatusaswepassed。Thecoachman，ahardfaced，gnarledlittlefellow，salutedSirHenryBaskerville，andinafewminuteswewereflyingswiftlydownthebroad，whiteroad。Rollingpasturelandscurvedupwardoneithersideofus，andoldgabledhousespeepedoutfromamidthethickgreenfoliage，butbehindthepeacefulandsunlitcountrysidethereroseever，darkagainsttheeveningsky，thelong，gloomycurveofthemoor，brokenbythejaggedandsinisterhills。
Thewagonetteswungroundintoasideroad，andwecurvedupwardthroughdeeplaneswornbycenturiesofwheels，highbanksoneitherside，heavywithdrippingmossandfleshyhart’s—tongueferns。Bronzingbrackenandmottledbramblegleamedinthelightofthesinkingsun。Stillsteadilyrising，wepassedoveranarrowgranitebridgeandskirtedanoisystreamwhichgushedswiftlydown，foamingandroaringamidthegrayboulders。
Bothroadandstreamwoundupthroughavalleydensewithscruboakandfir。AteveryturnBaskervillegaveanexclamationofdelight，lookingeagerlyabouthimandaskingcountlessquestions。Tohiseyesallseemedbeautiful，buttomeatingeofmelancholylayuponthecountryside，whichboresoclearlythemarkofthewaningyear。Yellowleavescarpetedthelanesandfluttereddownuponusaswepassed。Therattleofourwheelsdiedawayaswedrovethroughdriftsofrottingvegetation—sadgifts，asitseemedtome，forNaturetothrowbeforethecarriageofthereturningheiroftheBaskervilles。
`Halloa！’criedDr。Mortimer，`whatisthis？’
Asteepcurveofheath—cladland，anoutlyingspurofthemoor，layinfrontofus。Onthesummit，hardandclearlikeanequestrianstatueuponitspedestal，wasamountedsoldier，darkandstern，hisriflepoisedreadyoverhisforearm。Hewaswatchingtheroadalongwhichwetravelled。
`Whatisthis，Perkins？’askedDr。Mortimer。
Ourdriverhalfturnedinhisseat。
`There’saconvictescapedfromPrincetown，sir。He’sbeenoutthreedaysnow，andthewarderswatcheveryroadandeverystation，butthey’vehadnosightofhimyet。Thefarmersaboutheredon’tlikeit，sir，andthat’safact。’
`Well，Iunderstandthattheygetfivepoundsiftheycangiveinformation。’
`Yes，sir，butthechanceoffivepoundsisbutapoorthingcomparedtothechanceofhavingyourthroatcut。Yousee，itisn’tlikeanyordinaryconvict。Thisisamanthatwouldstickatnothing。’
