Chapter1Mr。SherlockHolmesMr。SherlockHolmes，whowasusuallyverylateinthemornings，saveuponthosenotinfrequentoccasionswhenhewasupallnight，wasseatedatthebreakfasttable。Istooduponthehearth—rugandpickedupthestickwhichourvisitorhadleftbehindhimthenightbefore。Itwasafine，thickpieceofwood，bulbous—headed，ofthesortwhichisknownasa`Penanglawyer。’Justundertheheadwasabroadsilverbandnearlyaninchacross。
`ToJamesMortimer，M。R。C。S。，fromhisfriendsoftheC。C。H。，’wasengraveduponit，withthedate`1884。’Itwasjustsuchastickastheold—fashionedfamilypractitionerusedtocarry—dignified，solid，andreassuring。
`Well，Watson，whatdoyoumakeofit？’
Holmeswassittingwithhisbacktome，andIhadgivenhimnosignofmyoccupation。
`HowdidyouknowwhatIwasdoing？Ibelieveyouhaveeyesinthebackofyourhead。’
`Ihave，atleast，awell—polished，silver—platedcoffee—potinfrontofme，’saidhe。`But，tellme，Watson，whatdoyoumakeofourvisitor’sstick？Sincewehavebeensounfortunateastomisshimandhavenonotionofhiserrand，thisaccidentalsouvenirbecomesofimportance。Letmehearyoureconstructthemanbyanexaminationofit。’
`Ithink，’saidI，followingasfarasIcouldthemethodsofmycompanion，`thatDr。Mortimerisasuccessful，elderlymedicalman，well—esteemedsincethosewhoknowhimgivehimthismarkoftheirappreciation。’
`Good！’saidHolmes。`Excellent！’
`Ithinkalsothattheprobabilityisinfavourofhisbeingacountrypractitionerwhodoesagreatdealofhisvisitingonfoot。’
`Whyso？’
`Becausethisstick，thoughoriginallyaveryhandsomeonehasbeensoknockedaboutthatIcanhardlyimagineatownpractitionercarryingit。Thethick—ironferruleisworndown，soitisevidentthathehasdoneagreatamountofwalkingwithit。’
`Perfectlysound！’saidHolmes。
`Andthenagain，thereisthe``friendsoftheC。C。H。’’IshouldguessthattobetheSomethingHunt，thelocalhunttowhosemembershehaspossiblygivensomesurgicalassistance，andwhichhasmadehimasmallpresentationinreturn。’
`Really，Watson，youexcelyourself，’saidHolmes，pushingbackhischairandlightingacigarette。`Iamboundtosaythatinalltheaccountswhichyouhavebeensogoodastogiveofmyownsmallachievementsyouhavehabituallyunderratedyourownabilities。Itmaybethatyouarenotyourselfluminous，butyouareaconductoroflight。Somepeoplewithoutpossessinggeniushavearemarkablepowerofstimulatingit。Iconfess，mydearfellow，thatIamverymuchinyourdebt。’
Hehadneversaidasmuchbefore，andImustadmitthathiswordsgavemekeenpleasure，forIhadoftenbeenpiquedbyhisindifferencetomyadmirationandtotheattemptswhichIhadmadetogivepublicitytohismethods。Iwasproud，too，tothinkthatIhadsofarmasteredhissystemastoapplyitinawaywhichearnedhisapproval。Henowtookthestickfrommyhandsandexamineditforafewminuteswithhisnakedeyes。
Thenwithanexpressionofinteresthelaiddownhiscigarette，andcarryingthecanetothewindow，helookedoveritagainwithaconvexlens。
`Interesting，thoughelementary，’saidheashereturnedtohisfavouritecornerofthesettee。`Therearecertainlyoneortwoindicationsuponthestick。Itgivesusthebasisforseveraldeductions。’
`Hasanythingescapedme？’Iaskedwithsomeself—importance。
`ItrustthatthereisnothingofconsequencewhichIhaveoverlooked？’
`Iamafraid，mydearWatson，thatmostofyourconclusionswereerroneous。
WhenIsaidthatyoustimulatedmeImeant，tobefrank，thatinnotingyourfallaciesIwasoccasionallyguidedtowardsthetruth。Notthatyouareentirelywronginthisinstance。Themaniscertainlyacountrypractitioner。Andhewalksagooddeal。’
`ThenIwasright。’
`Tothatextent。’
`Butthatwasall。’
`No，no，mydearWatson，notall—bynomeansall。Iwouldsuggest，forexample，thatapresentationtoadoctorismorelikelytocomefromahospitalthanfromahunt，andthatwhentheinitials``C。C。’’areplacedbeforethathospitalthewords``CharingCross’’verynaturallysuggestthemselves。’
`Youmayberight。’
`Theprobabilityliesinthatdirection。Andifwetakethisasaworkinghypothesiswehaveafreshbasisfromwhichtostartourconstructionofthisunknownvisitor。’
`Well，then，supposingthat``C。C。H。’’doesstandfor``CharingCrossHospital，’’whatfurtherinferencesmaywedraw？’
`Dononesuggestthemselves？Youknowmymethods。Applythem！’
`Icanonlythinkoftheobviousconclusionthatthemanhaspractisedintownbeforegoingtothecountry。’
`Ithinkthatwemightventurealittlefartherthanthis。Lookatitinthislight。Onwhatoccasionwoulditbemostprobablethatsuchapresentationwouldbemade？Whenwouldhisfriendsunitetogivehimapledgeoftheirgoodwill？ObviouslyatthemomentwhenDr。Mortimerwithdrewfromtheserviceofthehospitalinordertostartinpracticeforhimself。Weknowtherehasbeenapresentation。Webelievetherehasbeenachangefromatownhospitaltoacountrypractice。Isit，then，stretchingourinferencetoofartosaythatthepresentationwasontheoccasionofthechange？’
`Itcertainlyseemsprobable。’
`Now，youwillobservethathecouldnothavebeenonthestaffofthehospital，sinceonlyamanwell—establishedinaLondonpracticecouldholdsuchaposition，andsuchaonewouldnotdriftintothecountry。
Whatwashe，then？Ifhewasinthehospitalandyetnotonthestaffhecouldonlyhavebeenahouse—surgeonorahouse—physician—littlemorethanaseniorstudent。Andheleftfiveyearsago—thedateisonthestick。Soyourgrave，middle—agedfamilypractitionervanishesintothinair，mydearWatson，andthereemergesayoungfellowunderthirty，amiable，unambitious，absent—minded，andthepossessorofafavouritedog，whichIshoulddescriberoughlyasbeinglargerthanaterrierandsmallerthanamastiff。’
IlaughedincredulouslyasSherlockHolmesleanedbackinhissetteeandblewlittlewaveringringsofsmokeuptotheceiling。
`Astothelatterpart，Ihavenomeansofcheckingyou，’saidI，`butatleastitisnotdifficulttofindoutafewparticularsabouttheman’sageandprofessionalcareer。’FrommysmallmedicalshelfItookdowntheMedicalDirectoryandturnedupthename。TherewereseveralMortimers，butonlyonewhocouldbeourvisitor。Ireadhisrecordaloud。
`Mortimer，James，M。R。C。S。，1882，Grimpen，Dartmoor，Devon。
House—surgeon，from1882to1884，atCharingCrossHospital。WinneroftheJacksonprizeforComparativePathology，withessayentitled``IsDiseaseaReversion？’’CorrespondingmemberoftheSwedishPathologicalSociety。
Authorof``SomeFreaksofAtavism’’（Lancet1882）。``DoWeProgress？’’
（JournalofPsychology，March，1883）。MedicalOfficerfortheparishesofGrimpen，Thorsley，andHighBarrow。’`Nomentionofthatlocalhunt，Watson，’saidHolmeswithamischievoussmile，`butacountrydoctor，asyouveryastutelyobserved。IthinkthatIamfairlyjustifiedinmyinferences。Astotheadjectives，Isaid，ifIrememberright，amiable，unambitious，andabsent—minded。Itismyexperiencethatitisonlyanamiablemaninthisworldwhoreceivestestimonials，onlyanunambitiousonewhoabandonsaLondoncareerforthecountry，andonlyanabsent—mindedonewholeaveshisstickandnothisvisiting—cardafterwaitinganhourinyourroom。’
`Andthedog？’
`Hasbeeninthehabitofcarryingthisstickbehindhismaster。
Beingaheavystickthedoghasheldittightlybythemiddle，andthemarksofhisteethareveryplainlyvisible。Thedog’sjaw，asshowninthespacebetweenthesemarks，istoobroadinmyopinionforaterrierandnotbroadenoughforamastiff。Itmayhavebeen—yes，byJove，itisacurly—hairedspaniel。’
Hehadrisenandpacedtheroomashespoke。Nowhehaltedintherecessofthewindow。TherewassucharingofconvictioninhisvoicethatIglancedupinsurprise。
`Mydearfellow，howcanyoupossiblybesosureofthat？’
`FortheverysimplereasonthatIseethedoghimselfonourverydoor—step，andthereistheringofitsowner。Don’tmove，Ibegyou，Watson。Heisaprofessionalbrotherofyours，andyourpresencemaybeofassistancetome。Nowisthedramaticmomentoffate，Watson，whenyouhearastepuponthestairwhichiswalkingintoyourlife，andyouknownotwhetherforgoodorill。WhatdoesDr。JamesMortimer，themanofscience，askofSherlockHolmes，thespecialistincrime？Comein！’
Theappearanceofourvisitorwasasurprisetome，sinceIhadexpectedatypicalcountrypractitioner。Hewasaverytall，thinman，withalongnoselikeabeak，whichjuttedoutbetweentwokeen，grayeyes，setcloselytogetherandsparklingbrightlyfrombehindapairofgold—rimmedglasses。Hewascladinaprofessionalbutratherslovenlyfashion，forhisfrock—coatwasdingyandhistrousersfrayed。Thoughyoung，hislongbackwasalreadybowed，andhewalkedwithaforwardthrustofhisheadandageneralairofpeeringbenevolence。AsheenteredhiseyesfelluponthestickinHolmes’shand，andherantowardsitwithanexclamationofjoy。`Iamsoveryglad，’saidhe。`IwasnotsurewhetherIhadleftithereorintheShippingOffice。Iwouldnotlosethatstickfortheworld。’
`Apresentation，Isee，’saidHolmes。
`Yes，sir。’
`FromCharingCrossHospital？’
`Fromoneortwofriendsthereontheoccasionofmymarriage。’
`Dear，dear，that’sbad！’saidHolmes，shakinghishead。
Dr。Mortimerblinkedthroughhisglassesinmildastonishment。
`Whywasitbad？’
`Onlythatyouhavedisarrangedourlittledeductions。Yourmarriage，yousay？’
`Yes，sir。Imarried，andsoleftthehospital，andwithitallhopesofaconsultingpractice。Itwasnecessarytomakeahomeofmyown。’
`Come，come，wearenotsofarwrong，afterall，’saidHolmes。
`Andnow，Dr。JamesMortimer—’
`Mister，sir，Mister—ahumbleM。R。C。S。’
`Andamanofprecisemind，evidently。’
`Adabblerinscience，Mr。Holmes，apickerupofshellsontheshoresofthegreatunknownocean。IpresumethatitisMr。SherlockHolmeswhomIamaddressingandnot—’
`No，thisismyfriendDr。Watson。’
`Gladtomeetyou，sir。Ihaveheardyournamementionedinconnectionwiththatofyourfriend。Youinterestmeverymuch，Mr。Holmes。Ihadhardlyexpectedsodolichocephalicaskullorsuchwell—markedsupra—orbitaldevelopment。Wouldyouhaveanyobjectiontomyrunningmyfingeralongyourparietalfissure？Acastofyourskull，sir，untiltheoriginalisavailable，wouldbeanornamenttoanyanthropologicalmuseum。Itisnotmyintentiontobefulsome，butIconfessthatIcovetyourskull。’
SherlockHolmeswavedourstrangevisitorintoachair。`Youareanenthusiastinyourlineofthought，Iperceive，sir，asIaminmine，’
saidhe。`Iobservefromyourforefingerthatyoumakeyourowncigarettes。
Havenohesitationinlightingone。’
Themandrewoutpaperandtobaccoandtwirledtheoneupintheotherwithsurprisingdexterity。Hehadlong，quiveringfingersasagileandrestlessastheantennaeofaninsect。
Holmeswassilent，buthislittledartingglancesshowedmetheinterestwhichhetookinourcuriouscompanion。
`Ipresume，sir，’saidheatlast，`thatitwasnotmerelyforthepurposeofexaminingmyskullthatyouhavedonemethehonourtocallherelastnightandagainto—day？’
`No，sir，no;thoughIamhappytohavehadtheopportunityofdoingthataswell。Icametoyou，Mr。Holmes，becauseIrecognizedthatIammyselfanunpracticalmanandbecauseIamsuddenlyconfrontedwithamostseriousandextraordinaryproblem。Recognizing，asIdo，thatyouarethesecondhighestexpertinEurope—’
`Indeed，sir！MayIinquirewhohasthehonourtobethefirst？’
askedHolmeswithsomeasperity。
`TothemanofpreciselyscientificmindtheworkofMonsieurBertillonmustalwaysappealstrongly。’
`Thenhadyounotbetterconsulthim？’
`Isaid，sir，tothepreciselyscientificmind。Butasapracticalmanofaffairsitisacknowledgedthatyoustandalone。Itrust，sir，thatIhavenotinadvertently—’
`Justalittle，’saidHolmes。`Ithink，Dr。Mortimer，youwoulddowiselyifwithoutmoreadoyouwouldkindlytellmeplainlywhattheexactnatureoftheproblemisinwhichyoudemandmyassistance。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles02[TableofContents]Chapter2TheCurseoftheBaskervilles`Ihaveinmypocketamanuscript，’saidDr。JamesMortimer。
`Iobserveditasyouenteredtheroom，’saidHolmes。
`Itisanoldmanuscript。’
`Earlyeighteenthcentury，unlessitisaforgery。’
`Howcanyousaythat，sir？’
`Youhavepresentedaninchortwoofittomyexaminationallthetimethatyouhavebeentalking。Itwouldbeapoorexpertwhocouldnotgivethedateofadocumentwithinadecadeorso。Youmaypossiblyhavereadmylittlemonographuponthesubject。Iputthatat1730。’
`Theexactdateis1742。’Dr。Mortimerdrewitfromhisbreast—pocket。
`ThisfamilypaperwascommittedtomycarebySirCharlesBaskerville，whosesuddenandtragicdeathsomethreemonthsagocreatedsomuchexcitementinDevonshire。ImaysaythatIwashispersonalfriendaswellashismedicalattendant。Hewasastrong—mindedman，sir，shrewd，practical，andasunimaginativeasIammyself。Yethetookthisdocumentveryseriously，andhismindwaspreparedforjustsuchanendasdideventuallyovertakehim。’
Holmesstretchedouthishandforthemanuscriptandflattenedituponhisknee。
`Youwillobserve，Watson，thealternativeuseofthelongsandtheshort。
Itisoneofseveralindicationswhichenabledmetofixthedate。’
Ilookedoverhisshoulderattheyellowpaperandthefadedscript。
Attheheadwaswritten：`BaskervilleHall，’andbelowinlarge，scrawlingfigures：`1742。’
`Itappearstobeastatementofsomesort。’
`Yes，itisastatementofacertainlegendwhichrunsintheBaskervillefamily。’
`ButIunderstandthatitissomethingmoremodernandpracticaluponwhichyouwishtoconsultme？’
`Mostmodern。Amostpractical，pressingmatter，whichmustbedecidedwithintwenty—fourhours。Butthemanuscriptisshortandisintimatelyconnectedwiththeaffair。WithyourpermissionIwillreadittoyou。’
Holmesleanedbackinhischair，placedhisfinger—tipstogether，andclosedhiseyes，withanairofresignation。Dr。Mortimerturnedthemanuscripttothelightandreadinahigh，cracklingvoicethefollowingcurious，old—worldnarrative：
`OftheoriginoftheHoundoftheBaskervillestherehavebeenmanystatements，yetasIcomeinadirectlinefromHugoBaskerville，andasIhadthestoryfrommyfather，whoalsohaditfromhis，Ihavesetitdownwithallbeliefthatitoccurredevenasisheresetforth。
AndIwouldhaveyoubelieve，mysons，thatthesameJusticewhichpunishessinmayalsomostgraciouslyforgiveit，andthatnobanissoheavybutthatbyprayerandrepentanceitmayberemoved。Learnthenfromthisstorynottofearthefruitsofthepast，butrathertobecircumspectinthefuture，thatthosefoulpassionswherebyourfamilyhassufferedsogrievouslymaynotagainbeloosedtoourundoing。
`KnowthenthatinthetimeoftheGreatRebellion（thehistoryofwhichbythelearnedLordClarendonImostearnestlycommendtoyourattention）thisManorofBaskervillewasheldbyHugoofthatname，norcanitbegainsaidthathewasamostwild，profane，andgodlessman。This，intruth，hisneighboursmighthavepardoned，seeingthatsaintshaveneverflourishedinthoseparts，buttherewasinhimacertainwantonandcruelhumourwhichmadehisnameabywordthroughtheWest。ItchancedthatthisHugocametolove（if，indeed，sodarkapassionmaybeknownundersobrightaname）thedaughterofayeomanwhoheldlandsneartheBaskervilleestate。Buttheyoungmaiden，beingdiscreetandofgoodrepute，wouldeveravoidhim，forshefearedhisevilname。SoitcametopassthatoneMichaelmasthisHugo，withfiveorsixofhisidleandwickedcompanions，stoledownuponthefarmandcarriedoffthemaiden，herfatherandbrothersbeingfromhome，ashewellknew。WhentheyhadbroughthertotheHallthemaidenwasplacedinanupperchamber，whileHugoandhisfriendssatdowntoalongcarouse，aswastheirnightlycustom。Now，thepoorlassupstairswasliketohaveherwitsturnedatthesingingandshoutingandterribleoathswhichcameuptoherfrombelow，fortheysaythatthewordsusedbyHugoBaskerville，whenhewasinwine，weresuchasmightblastthemanwhosaidthem。Atlastinthestressofherfearshedidthatwhichmighthavedauntedthebravestormostactiveman，forbytheaidofthegrowthofivywhichcovered（andstillcovers）thesouthwallshecamedownfromundertheeaves，andsohomewardacrossthemoor，therebeingthreeleaguesbetwixttheHallandherfather’sfarm。
`ItchancedthatsomelittletimelaterHugolefthisgueststocarryfoodanddrink—withotherworsethings，perchance—tohiscaptive，andsofoundthecageemptyandthebirdescaped。Then，asitwouldseem，hebecameasonethathathadevil，for，rushingdownthestairsintothedining—hall，hespranguponthegreattable，flagonsandtrenchersflyingbeforehim，andhecriedaloudbeforeallthecompanythathewouldthatverynightrenderhisbodyandsoultothePowersofEvilifhemightbutovertakethewench。Andwhiletherevellersstoodaghastatthefuryoftheman，onemorewickedor，itmaybe，moredrunkenthantherest，criedoutthattheyshouldputthehoundsuponherWhereatHugoranfromthehouse，cryingtohisgroomsthattheyshouldsaddlehismareandunkennelthepack，andgivingthehoundsakerchiefofthemaid’s，heswungthemtotheline，andsoofffullcryinthemoonlightoverthemoor。
`Now，forsomespacetherevellersstoodagape，unabletounderstandallthathadbeendoneinsuchhaste。Butanontheirbemusedwitsawoketothenatureofthedeedwhichwasliketobedoneuponthemoorlands。
Everythingwasnowinanuproar，somecallingfortheirpistols，somefortheirhorses，andsomeforanotherflaskofwine。Butatlengthsomesensecamebacktotheircrazedminds，andthewholeofthem，thirteeninnumber，tookhorseandstartedinpursuit。Themoonshoneclearabovethem，andtheyrodeswiftlyabreast，takingthatcoursewhichthemaidmustneedshavetakenifsheweretoreachherownhome。
`Theyhadgoneamileortwowhentheypassedoneofthenightshepherdsuponthemoorlands，andtheycriedtohimtoknowifhehadseenthehunt。Andtheman，asthestorygoes，wassocrazedwithfearthathecouldscarcespeak，butatlasthesaidthathehadindeedseentheunhappymaiden，withthehoundsuponhertrack。``ButIhaveseenmorethanthat，’’saidhe，``forHugoBaskervillepassedmeuponhisblackmare，andthereranmutebehindhimsuchahoundofhellasGodforbidshouldeverbeatmyheels。’’Sothedrunkensquirescursedtheshepherdandrodeonward。Butsoontheirskinsturnedcold，fortherecameagallopingacrossthemoor，andtheblackmare，dabbledwithwhitefroth，wentpastwithtrailingbridleandemptysaddle。Thentherevellersrodeclosetogether，foragreatfearwasonthem，buttheystillfollowedoverthemoor，thougheach，hadhebeenalone，wouldhavebeenrightgladtohaveturnedhishorse’shead。Ridingslowlyinthisfashiontheycameatlastuponthehounds。These，thoughknownfortheirvalourandtheirbreed，werewhimperinginaclusterattheheadofadeepdiporgoyal，aswecallit，uponthemoor，someslinkingawayandsome，withstartinghacklesandstaringeyes，gazingdownthenarrowvalleybeforethem。
`Thecompanyhadcometoahalt，moresobermen，asyoumayguess，thanwhentheystarted。Themostofthemwouldbynomeansadvance，butthreeofthem，theboldest，oritmaybethemostdrunken，rodeforwarddownthegoyal。Now，itopenedintoabroadspaceinwhichstoodtwoofthosegreatstones，stilltobeseenthere，whichweresetbycertainforgottenpeoplesinthedaysofold。Themoonwasshiningbrightupontheclearing，andthereinthecentrelaytheunhappymaidwhereshehadfallen，deadoffearandoffatigue。
Butitwasnotthesightofherbody，noryetwasitthatofthebodyofHugoBaskervillelyingnearher，whichraisedthehairupontheheadsofthesethreedaredevilroysterers，butitwasthat，standingoverHugo，andpluckingathisthroat，therestoodafoulthing，agreat，blackbeast，shapedlikeahound，yetlargerthananyhoundthatevermortaleyehasrestedupon。AndevenastheylookedthethingtorethethroatoutofHugoBaskerville，onwhich，asitturneditsblazingeyesanddrippingjawsuponthem，thethreeshriekedwithfearandrodefordearlife，stillscreaming，acrossthemoor。One，itissaid，diedthatverynightofwhathehadseen，andtheothertwainwerebutbrokenmenfortherestoftheirdays。
`Suchisthetale，mysons，ofthecomingofthehoundwhichissaidtohaveplaguedthefamilysosorelyeversince。IfIhavesetitdownitisbecausethatwhichisclearlyknownhathlessterrorthanthatwhichisbuthintedatandguessed。Norcanitbedeniedthatmanyofthefamilyhavebeenunhappyintheirdeaths，whichhavebeensudden，bloody，andmysterious。YetmayweshelterourselvesintheinfinitegoodnessofProvidence，whichwouldnotforeverpunishtheinnocentbeyondthatthirdorfourthgenerationwhichisthreatenedinHolyWrit。TothatProvidence，mysons，Iherebycommendyou，andIcounselyoubywayofcautiontoforbearfromcrossingthemoorinthosedarkhourswhenthepowersofevilareexalted。
`[ThisfromHugoBaskervilletohissonsRodgerandJohn，withinstructionsthattheysaynothingthereoftotheirsisterElizabeth。]’WhenDr。MortimerhadfinishedreadingthissingularnarrativehepushedhisspectaclesuponhisforeheadandstaredacrossatMr。SherlockHolmes。
Thelatteryawnedandtossedtheendofhiscigaretteintothefire。
`Well？’saidhe。
`Doyounotfinditinteresting？’
`Toacollectoroffairytales。’
Dr。Mortimerdrewafoldednewspaperoutofhispocket。
`Now，Mr。Holmes，wewillgiveyousomethingalittlemorerecent。
ThisistheDevonCountyChronicleofMay14thofthisyear。ItisashortaccountofthefactselicitedatthedeathofSirCharlesBaskervillewhichoccurredafewdaysbeforethatdate。’
Myfriendleanedalittleforwardandhisexpressionbecameintent。
Ourvisitorreadjustedhisglassesandbegan：
`TherecentsuddendeathofSirCharlesBaskerville，whosenamehasbeenmentionedastheprobableLiberalcandidateforMid—Devonatthenextelection，hascastagloomoverthecounty。ThoughSirCharleshadresidedatBaskervilleHallforacomparativelyshortperiodhisamiabilityofcharacterandextremegenerosityhadwontheaffectionandrespectofallwhohadbeenbroughtintocontactwithhim。Inthesedaysofnouveauxrichesitisrefreshingtofindacasewherethescionofanoldcountyfamilywhichhasfallenuponevildaysisabletomakehisownfortuneandtobringitbackwithhimtorestorethefallengrandeurofhisline。
SirCharles，asiswellknown，madelargesumsofmoneyinSouthAfricanspeculation。Morewisethanthosewhogoonuntilthewheelturnsagainstthem，herealizedhisgainsandreturnedtoEnglandwiththem。ItisonlytwoyearssincehetookuphisresidenceatBaskervilleHall，anditiscommontalkhowlargewerethoseschemesofreconstructionandimprovementwhichhavebeeninterruptedbyhisdeath。Beinghimselfchildless，itwashisopenlyexpresseddesirethatthewholecountrysideshould，withinhisownlifetime，profitbyhisgoodfortune，andmanywillhavepersonalreasonsforbewailinghisuntimelyend。Hisgenerousdonationstolocalandcountycharitieshavebeenfrequentlychronicledinthesecolumns。
`ThecircumstancesconnectedwiththedeathofSirCharlescannotbesaidtohavebeenentirelyclearedupbytheinquest，butatleastenoughhasbeendonetodisposeofthoserumourstowhichlocalsuperstitionhasgivenrise。Thereisnoreasonwhatevertosuspectfoulplay，ortoimaginethatdeathcouldbefromanybutnaturalcauses。SirCharleswasawidower，andamanwhomaybesaidtohavebeeninsomewaysofaneccentrichabitofmind。Inspiteofhisconsiderablewealthhewassimpleinhispersonaltastes，andhisindoorservantsatBaskervilleHallconsistedofamarriedcouplenamedBarrymore，thehusbandactingasbutlerandthewifeashousekeeper。
Theirevidence，corroboratedbythatofseveralfriends，tendstoshowthatSirCharles’shealthhasforsometimebeenimpaired，andpointsespeciallytosomeaffectionoftheheart，manifestingitselfinchangesofcolour，breathlessness，andacuteattacksofnervousdepression。Dr。JamesMortimer，thefriendandmedicalattendantofthedeceased，hasgivenevidencetothesameeffect。
`Thefactsofthecasearesimple。SirCharlesBaskervillewasinthehabiteverynightbeforegoingtobedofwalkingdownthefamousyewalleyofBaskervilleHall。TheevidenceoftheBarrymoresshowsthatthishadbeenhiscustom。OnthefourthofMaySirCharleshaddeclaredhisintentionofstartingnextdayforLondon，andhadorderedBarrymoretopreparehisluggage。Thatnighthewentoutasusualforhisnocturnalwalk，inthecourseofwhichhewasinthehabitofsmokingacigar。Heneverreturned。Attwelveo’clockBarrymore，findingthehalldoorstillopen，becamealarmed，and，lightingalantern，wentinsearchofhismaster。
Thedayhadbeenwet，andSirCharles’sfootmarkswereeasilytraceddownthealley。Halfwaydownthiswalkthereisagatewhichleadsoutontothemoor。TherewereindicationsthatSirCharleshadstoodforsomelittletimehere。Hethenproceededdownthealley，anditwasatthefarendofitthathisbodywasdiscovered。
OnefactwhichhasnotbeenexplainedisthestatementofBarrymorethathismaster’sfootprintsalteredtheircharacterfromthetimethathepassedthemoor—gate，andthatheappearedfromthenceonwardtohavebeenwalkinguponhistoes。OneMurphy，agipsyhorse—dealer，wasonthemooratnogreatdistanceatthetime，butheappearsbyhisownconfessiontohavebeentheworsefordrink。Hedeclaresthatheheardcriesbutisunabletostatefromwhatdirectiontheycame。NosignsofviolenceweretobediscovereduponSirCharles’sperson，andthoughthedoctor’sevidencepointedtoanalmostincrediblefacialdistortion—sogreatthatDr。Mortimerrefusedatfirsttobelievethatitwasindeedhisfriendandpatientwholaybeforehim—itwasexplainedthatthatisasymptomwhichisnotunusualincasesofdyspnoeaanddeathfromcardiacexhaustion。Thisexplanationwasborneoutbythepost—mortemexamination，whichshowedlong—standingorganicdisease，andthecoroner’sjuryreturnedaverdictinaccordancewiththemedicalevidence。Itiswellthatthisisso，foritisobviouslyoftheutmostimportancethatSirCharles’sheirshouldsettleattheHallandcontinuethegoodworkwhichhasbeensosadlyinterrupted。Hadtheprosaicfindingofthecoronernotfinallyputanendtotheromanticstorieswhichhavebeenwhisperedinconnectionwiththeaffair，itmighthavebeendifficulttofindatenantforBaskervilleHall。ItisunderstoodthatthenextofkinisMr。HenryBaskerville，ifhebestillalive，thesonofSirCharlesBaskerville’syoungerbrother。TheyoungmanwhenlastheardofwasinAmerica，andinquiriesarebeinginstitutedwithaviewtoinforminghimofhisgoodfortune。’Dr。Mortimerrefoldedhispaperandreplaceditinhispocket。
`Thosearethepublicfacts，Mr。Holmes，inconnectionwiththedeathofSirCharlesBaskerville。’
`Imustthankyou，’saidSherlockHolmes，`forcallingmyattentiontoacasewhichcertainlypresentssomefeaturesofinterest。Ihadobservedsomenewspapercommentatthetime，butIwasexceedinglypreoccupiedbythatlittleaffairoftheVaticancameos，andinmyanxietytoobligethePopeIlosttouchwithseveralinterestingEnglishcases。Thisarticle，yousay，containsallthepublicfacts？’
`Itdoes。’
`Thenletmehavetheprivateones。’Heleanedback，puthisfinger—tipstogether，andassumedhismostimpassiveandjudicialexpression。
`Indoingso，’saidDr。Mortimer，whohadbeguntoshowsignsofsomestrongemotion，`IamtellingthatwhichIhavenotconfidedtoanyone。Mymotiveforwithholdingitfromthecoroner’sinquiryisthatamanofscienceshrinksfromplacinghimselfinthepublicpositionofseemingtoindorseapopularsuperstition。IhadthefurthermotivethatBaskervilleHall，asthepapersays，wouldcertainlyremainuntenantedifanythingweredonetoincreaseitsalreadyrathergrimreputation。ForboththesereasonsIthoughtthatIwasjustifiedintellingratherlessthanIknew，sincenopracticalgoodcouldresultfromit，butwithyouthereisnoreasonwhyIshouldnotbeperfectlyfrank。
`Themoorisverysparselyinhabited，andthosewholiveneareachotherarethrownverymuchtogether。ForthisreasonIsawagooddealofSirCharlesBaskerville。WiththeexceptionofMr。Frankland，ofLafterHall，andMr。Stapleton，thenaturalist，therearenoothermenofeducationwithinmanymiles。SirCharleswasaretiringman，butthechanceofhisillnessbroughtustogether，andacommunityofinterestsinsciencekeptusso。HehadbroughtbackmuchscientificinformationfromSouthAfrica，andmanyacharmingeveningwehavespenttogetherdiscussingthecomparativeanatomyoftheBushmanandtheHottentot。
`WithinthelastfewmonthsitbecameincreasinglyplaintomethatSirCharles’snervoussystemwasstrainedtothebreakingpoint。HehadtakenthislegendwhichIhavereadyouexceedinglytoheart—somuchsothat，althoughhewouldwalkinhisowngrounds，nothingwouldinducehimtogooutuponthemooratnight。Incredibleasitmayappeartoyou，Mr。Holmes，hewashonestlyconvincedthatadreadfulfateoverhunghisfamily，andcertainlytherecordswhichhewasabletogiveofhisancestorswerenotencouraging。Theideaofsomeghastlypresenceconstantlyhauntedhim，andonmorethanoneoccasionhehasaskedmewhetherIhadonmymedicaljourneysatnighteverseenanystrangecreatureorheardthebayingofahound。Thelatterquestionheputtomeseveraltimes，andalwayswithavoicewhichvibratedwithexcitement。
`Icanwellrememberdrivinguptohishouseintheeveningsomethreeweeksbeforethefatalevent。Hechancedtobeathishalldoor。
Ihaddescendedfrommygigandwasstandinginfrontofhim，whenIsawhiseyesfixthemselvesovermyshoulderandstarepastmewithanexpressionofthemostdreadfulhorror。
IwhiskedroundandhadjusttimetocatchaglimpseofsomethingwhichItooktobealargeblackcalfpassingattheheadofthedrive。
SoexcitedandalarmedwashethatIwascompelledtogodowntothespotwheretheanimalhadbeenandlookaroundforit。Itwasgone，however，andtheincidentappearedtomaketheworstimpressionuponhismind。I
stayedwithhimalltheevening，anditwasonthatoccasion，toexplaintheemotionwhichhehadshown，thatheconfidedtomykeepingthatnarrativewhichIreadtoyouwhenfirstIcame。Imentionthissmallepisodebecauseitassumessomeimportanceinviewofthetragedywhichfollowed，butI
wasconvincedatthetimethatthematterwasentirelytrivialandthathisexcitementhadnojustification。
`ItwasatmyadvicethatSirCharleswasabouttogotoLondon。
Hisheartwas，Iknew，affected，andtheconstantanxietyinwhichhelived，howeverchimericalthecauseofitmightbe，wasevidentlyhavingaseriouseffectuponhishealth。Ithoughtthatafewmonthsamongthedistractionsoftownwouldsendhimbackanewman。Mr。Stapleton，amutualfriendwhowasmuchconcernedathisstateofhealth，wasofthesameopinion。Atthelastinstantcamethisterriblecatastrophe。
`OnthenightofSirCharles’sdeathBarrymorethebutlerwhomadethediscovery，sentPerkinsthegroomonhorsebacktome，andasI
wassittinguplateIwasabletoreachBaskervilleHallwithinanhouroftheevent。Icheckedandcorroboratedallthefactswhichwerementionedattheinquest。Ifollowedthefootstepsdowntheyewalley，Isawthespotatthemoor—gatewhereheseemedtohavewaited，Iremarkedthechangeintheshapeoftheprintsafterthatpoint，InotedthattherewerenootherfootstepssavethoseofBarrymoreonthesoftgravel，andfinallyIcarefullyexaminedthebody，whichhadnotbeentoucheduntilmyarrival。
SirCharleslayonhisface，hisarmsout，hisfingersdugintotheground，andhisfeaturesconvulsedwithsomestrongemotiontosuchanextentthatIcouldhardlyhavesworntohisidentity。Therewascertainlynophysicalinjuryofanykind。ButonefalsestatementwasmadebyBarrymoreattheinquest。Hesaidthattherewerenotracesuponthegroundroundthebody。
Hedidnotobserveany。ButIdid—somelittledistanceoff，butfreshandclear。’
`Footprints？’
`Footprints。’
`Aman’sorawoman’s？’
Dr。Mortimerlookedstrangelyatusforaninstant，andhisvoicesankalmosttoawhisperasheanswered：
`Mr。Holmes，theywerethefootprintsofagigantichound！’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles03[TableofContents]Chapter3TheProblemIconfessatthesewordsashudderpassedthroughme。Therewasathrillinthedoctor’svoicewhichshowedthathewashimselfdeeplymovedbythatwhichhetoldus。Holmesleanedforwardinhisexcitementandhiseyeshadthehard，dryglitterwhichshotfromthemwhenhewaskeenlyinterested。
`Yousawthis？’
`AsclearlyasIseeyou。’
`Andyousaidnothing？’
`Whatwastheuse？’
`Howwasitthatnooneelsesawit？’
`Themarksweresometwentyyardsfromthebodyandnoonegavethemathought。Idon’tsupposeIshouldhavedonesohadInotknownthislegend。’
`Therearemanysheep—dogsonthemoor？’
`Nodoubt，butthiswasnosheep—dog。’
`Yousayitwaslarge？’
`Enormous。’
`Butithadnotapproachedthebody？’
`No。’
`Whatsortofnightwasit？’
`Dampandraw。’
`Butnotactuallyraining？’
`No。’
`Whatisthealleylike？’
`Therearetwolinesofoldyewhedge，twelvefeethighandimpenetrable。Thewalkinthecentreisabouteightfeetacross。
’
`Isthereanythingbetweenthehedgesandthewalk？’
`Yes，thereisastripofgrassaboutsixfeetbroadoneitherside。’
`Iunderstandthattheyewhedgeispenetratedatonepointbyagate？’
`Yes，thewicket—gatewhichleadsontothemoor。’
`Isthereanyotheropening？’
`None。’
`Sothattoreachtheyewalleyoneeitherhastocomedownitfromthehouseorelsetoenteritbythemoor—gate？’
`Thereisanexitthroughasummer—houseatthefarend。’
`HadSirCharlesreachedthis？’
`No;helayaboutfiftyyardsfromit。’
`Now，tellme，Dr。Mortimer—andthisisimportant—themarkswhichyousawwereonthepathandnotonthegrass？’
`Nomarkscouldshowonthegrass。’
`Weretheyonthesamesideofthepathasthemoor—gate？’
`Yes;theywereontheedgeofthepathonthesamesideasthemoor—gate。’
`Youinterestmeexceedingly。Anotherpoint。Wasthewicket—gateclosed？’
`Closedandpadlocked。’
`Howhighwasit？’
`Aboutfourfeethigh。’
`Thenanyonecouldhavegotoverit？’
`Yes。’
`Andwhatmarksdidyouseebythewicket—gate？’
`Noneinparticular。’
`Goodheaven！Didnooneexamine？’
`Yes，Iexamined，myself。’
`Andfoundnothing？’
`Itwasallveryconfused。SirCharleshadevidentlystoodthereforfiveortenminutes。’
`Howdoyouknowthat？’
`Becausetheashhadtwicedroppedfromhiscigar。’
`Excellent！Thisisacolleague，Watson，afterourownheart。
Butthemarks？’
`Hehadlefthisownmarksalloverthatsmallpatchofgravel。
Icoulddiscernnoothers。’
SherlockHolmesstruckhishandagainsthiskneewithanimpatientgesture。
`IfIhadonlybeenthere！’hecried。`Itisevidentlyacaseofextraordinaryinterest，andonewhichpresentedimmenseopportunitiestothescientificexpert。ThatgravelpageuponwhichImighthavereadsomuchhasbeenlongerethissmudgedbytherainanddefacedbytheclogsofcuriouspeasants。Oh，Dr。Mortimer，Dr。Mortimer，tothinkthatyoushouldnothavecalledmein！Youhaveindeedmuchtoanswerfor。’
`Icouldnotcallyouin，Mr。Holmes，withoutdisclosingthesefactstotheworld，andIhavealreadygivenmyreasonsfornotwishingtodoso。Besides，besides—’
`Whydoyouhesitate？’
`Thereisarealminwhichthemostacuteandmostexperiencedofdetectivesishelpless。’
`Youmeanthatthethingissupernatural？’
`Ididnotpositivelysayso。’
`No，butyouevidentlythinkit。’
`Sincethetragedy，Mr。Holmes，therehavecometomyearsseveralincidentswhicharehardtoreconcilewiththesettledorderofNature。’
`Forexample？’
`IfindthatbeforetheterribleeventoccurredseveralpeoplehadseenacreatureuponthemoorwhichcorrespondswiththisBaskervilledemon，andwhichcouldnotpossiblybeanyanimalknowntoscience。Theyallagreedthatitwasahugecreature，luminous，ghastly，andspectral。
Ihavecross—examinedthesemen，oneofthemahard—headedcountryman，oneafarrier，andoneamoorlandfarmer，whoalltellthesamestoryofthisdreadfulapparition，exactlycorrespondingtothehell—houndofthelegend。Iassureyouthatthereisareignofterrorinthedistrict，andthatitisahardymanwhowillcrossthemooratnight。’
`Andyou，atrainedmanofscience，believeittobesupernatural？’
`Idonotknowwhattobelieve。’
Holmesshruggedhisshoulders。
`Ihavehithertoconfinedmyinvestigationstothisworld，’saidhe。`InamodestwayIhavecombatedevil，buttotakeontheFatherofEvilhimselfwould，perhaps，betooambitiousatask。Yetyoumustadmitthatthefootmarkismaterial。’
`Theoriginalhoundwasmaterialenoughtotugaman’sthroatout，andyethewasdiabolicalaswell。’
`Iseethatyouhavequitegoneovertothesupernaturalists。
Butnow，Dr。Mortimer，tellmethis。Ifyouholdtheseviewswhyhaveyoucometoconsultmeatall？YoutellmeinthesamebreaththatitisuselesstoinvestigateSirCharles’sdeath，andthatyoudesiremetodoit。’
`IdidnotsaythatIdesiredyoutodoit。’
`Then，howcanIassistyou？’
`ByadvisingmeastowhatIshoulddowithSirHenryBaskerville，whoarrivesatWaterlooStation’—Dr。Mortimerlookedathiswatch—`inexactlyonehourandaquarter。’
`Hebeingtheheir？’
`Yes。OnthedeathofSirCharlesweinquiredforthisyounggentlemanandfoundthathehadbeenfarminginCanada。Fromtheaccountswhichhavereachedusheisanexcellentfellowineveryway。IspeaknownotasamedicalmanbutasatrusteeandexecutorofSirCharles’swill。’
`Thereisnootherclaimant，Ipresume？’
`None。TheonlyotherkinsmanwhomwehavebeenabletotracewasRodgerBaskerville，theyoungestofthreebrothersofwhompoorSirCharleswastheelder。Thesecondbrother，whodiedyoung，isthefatherofthisladHenry。Thethird，Rodger，wastheblacksheepofthefamily。
HecameoftheoldmasterfulBaskervillestrainandwastheveryimage，theytellme，ofthefamilypictureofoldHugo。HemadeEnglandtoohottoholdhim，fledtoCentralAmerica，anddiedtherein1876ofyellowfever。HenryisthelastoftheBaskervilles。InonehourandfiveminutesImeethimatWaterlooStation。IhavehadawirethathearrivedatSouthamptonthismorning。Now，Mr。Holmes，whatwouldyouadvisemetodowithhim？’
`Whyshouldhenotgotothehomeofhisfathers？’
`Itseemsnatural，doesitnot？Andyet，considerthateveryBaskervillewhogoestheremeetswithanevilfate。IfeelsurethatifSirCharlescouldhavespokenwithmebeforehisdeathhewouldhavewarnedmeagainstbringingthis，thelastoftheoldrace，andtheheirtogreatwealth，tothatdeadlyplace。Andyetitcannotbedeniedthattheprosperityofthewholepoor，bleakcountrysidedependsuponhispresence。AllthegoodworkwhichhasbeendonebySirCharleswillcrashtothegroundifthereisnotenantoftheHall。IfearlestIshouldbeswayedtoomuchbymyownobviousinterestinthematter，andthatiswhyIbringthecasebeforeyouandaskforyouradvice。’
Holmesconsideredforalittletime。
`Putintoplainwords，thematteristhis，’saidhe。`InyouropinionthereisadiabolicalagencywhichmakesDartmooranunsafeabodeforaBaskerville—thatisyouropinion？’
`AtleastImightgothelengthofsayingthatthereissomeevidencethatthismaybeso。’
`Exactly。Butsurely，ifyoursupernaturaltheorybecorrect，itcouldworktheyoungmanevilinLondonaseasilyasinDevonshire。
Adevilwithmerelylocalpowerslikeaparishvestrywouldbetooinconceivableathing。’
`Youputthemattermoreflippantly，Mr。Holmes，thanyouwouldprobablydoifyouwerebroughtintopersonalcontactwiththesethings。
Youradvice，then，asIunderstandit，isthattheyoungmanwillbeassafeinDevonshireasinLondon。Hecomesinfiftyminutes。Whatwouldyourecommend？’
`Irecommend，sir，thatyoutakeacab，calloffyourspanielwhoisscratchingatmyfrontdoor，andproceedtoWaterlootomeetSirHenryBaskerville。’
`Andthen？’
`AndthenyouwillsaynothingtohimatalluntilIhavemadeupmymindaboutthematter。’
`Howlongwillittakeyoutomakeupyourmind？’
`Twenty—fourhours。Atteno’clockto—morrow，Dr。Mortimer，I
willbemuchobligedtoyouifyouwillcalluponmehere，anditwillbeofhelptomeinmyplansforthefutureifyouwillbringSirHenryBaskervillewithyou。’
`Iwilldoso，Mr。Holmes。’Hescribbledtheappointmentonhisshirt—cuffandhurriedoffinhisstrange，peering，absentmindedfashion。
Holmesstoppedhimattheheadofthestair。
`Onlyonemorequestion，Dr。Mortimer。YousaythatbeforeSirCharlesBaskerville’sdeathseveralpeoplesawthisapparitionuponthemoor？’
`Threepeopledid。’
`Didanyseeitafter？’
`Ihavenotheardofany。’
`Thankyou。Good—morning。’
Holmesreturnedtohisseatwiththatquietlookofinwardsatisfactionwhichmeantthathehadacongenialtaskbeforehim。
`Goingout，Watson？’
`UnlessIcanhelpyou。’
`No，mydearfellow，itisatthehourofactionthatIturntoyouforaid。Butthisissplendid，reallyuniquefromsomepointsofview。
WhenyoupassBradley’s，wouldyouaskhimtosendupapoundofthestrongestshagtobacco？Thankyou。Itwouldbeaswellifyoucouldmakeitconvenientnottoreturnbeforeevening。ThenIshouldbeverygladtocompareimpressionsastothismostinterestingproblemwhichhasbeensubminedtousthismorning。’
Iknewthatseclusionandsolitudewereverynecessaryformyfriendinthosehoursofintensementalconcentrationduringwhichheweighedeveryparticleofevidence，constructedalternativetheories，balancedoneagainsttheother，andmadeuphismindastowhichpointswereessentialandwhichimmaterial。IthereforespentthedayatmyclubanddidnotreturntoBakerStreetuntilevening。Itwasnearlynineo’clockwhenI
foundmyselfinthesitting—roomoncemore。
MyfirstimpressionasIopenedthedoorwasthatafirehadbrokenout，fortheroomwassofilledwithsmokethatthelightofthelampuponthetablewasblurredbyit。AsIentered，however，myfearsweresetatrest，foritwastheacridfumesofstrongcoarsetobaccowhichtookmebythethroatandsetmecoughing。ThroughthehazeIhadavaguevisionofHolmesinhisdressing—gowncoiledupinanarmchairwithhisblackclaypipebetweenhislips。Severalrollsofpaperlayaroundhim。
`Caughtcold，Watson？’saidhe。
`No，it’sthispoisonousatmosphere。’
`Isupposeitisprettythick，nowthatyoumentionit。’
`Thick！Itisintolerable。’
`Openthewindow，then！Youhavebeenatyourcluballday，I
perceive。’
`MydearHolmes！’
`AmIright？’
`Certainly，buthow？’
Helaughedatmybewilderedexpression。
`Thereisadelightfulfreshnessaboutyou，Watson，whichmakesitapleasuretoexerciseanysmallpowerswhichIpossessatyourexpense。
Agentlemangoesforthonashoweryandmiryday。Hereturnsimmaculateintheeveningwiththeglossstillonhishatandhisboots。Hehasbeenafixturethereforeallday。Heisnotamanwithintimatefriends。Where，then，couldhehavebeen？Isitnotobvious？’
`Well，itisratherobvious。’
`Theworldisfullofobviousthingswhichnobodybyanychanceeverobserves。WheredoyouthinkthatIhavebeen？’
`Afixturealso。’
`Onthecontrary，IhavebeentoDevonshire。’
`Inspirit？’
`Exactly。Mybodyhasremainedinthisarmchairandhas，Iregrettoobserve，consumedinmyabsencetwolargepotsofcoffeeandanincredibleamountoftobacco。AfteryouleftIsentdowntoStamford’sfortheOrdnancemapofthisportionofthemoor，andmyspirithashoveredoveritallday。IflattermyselfthatIcouldfindmywayabout。’
`Alarge—scalemap，Ipresume？’
`Verylarge。’Heunrolledonesectionandhelditoverhisknee。
`Hereyouhavetheparticulardistrictwhichconcernsus。ThatisBaskervilleHallinthemiddle。’
`Withawoodroundit？’
`Exactly。Ifancytheyewalley，thoughnotmarkedunderthatname，muststretchalongthisline，withthemoor，asyouperceive，upontherightofit。ThissmallclumpofbuildingshereisthehamletofGrimpen，whereourfriendDr。Mortimerhashisheadquarters。Withinaradiusoffivemilesthereare，asyousee，onlyaveryfewscattereddwellings。
HereisLafterHall，whichwasmentionedinthenarrative。Thereisahouseindicatedherewhichmaybetheresidenceofthenaturalist—Stapleton，ifIrememberright，washisname。Herearetwomoorlandfarmhouses，HighTorandFoulmire。ThenfourteenmilesawaythegreatconvictprisonofPrincetown。Betweenandaroundthesescatteredpointsextendsthedesolate，lifelessmoor。This，then，isthestageuponwhichtragedyhasbeenplayed，anduponwhichwemayhelptoplayitagain。’
`Itmustbeawildplace。’
`Yes，thesettingisaworthyone。Ifthedevildiddesiretohaveahandintheaffairsofmen—’
`Thenyouareyourselfincliningtothesupernaturalexplanation。’
`Thedevil’sagentsmaybeoffleshandblood，maytheynot？Therearetwoquestionswaitingforusattheoutset。Theoneiswhetheranycrimehasbeencommittedatall;thesecondis，whatisthecrimeandhowwasitcommitted？Ofcourse，ifDr。Mortimer’ssurmiseshouldbecorrect，andwearedealingwithforcesoutsidetheordinarylawsofNature，thereisanendofourinvestigation。Butweareboundtoexhaustallotherhypothesesbeforefallingbackuponthisone。Ithinkwe’llshutthatwindowagain，ifyoudon’tmind。Itisasingularthing，butIfindthataconcentratedatmospherehelpsaconcentrationofthought。Ihavenotpushedittothelengthofgettingintoaboxtothink，butthatisthelogicaloutcomeofmyconvictions。Haveyouturnedthecaseoverinyourmind？’
`Yes，Ihavethoughtagooddealofitinthecourseoftheday。’
`Whatdoyoumakeofit？’
`Itisverybewildering。’
`Ithascertainlyacharacterofitsown。Therearepointsofdistinctionaboutit。Thatchangeinthefootprints，forexample。Whatdoyoumakeofthat？’
`Mortimersaidthatthemanhadwalkedontiptoedownthatportionofthealley。’
`HeonlyrepeatedwhatsomefoolhadsaidattheinquestWhyshouldamanwalkontiptoedownthealley？’
`Whatthen？’
`Hewasrunning，Watson—runningdesperately，runningforhislife，runninguntilhebursthisheart—andfelldeaduponhisface。’
`Runningfromwhat？’
`Thereliesourproblem。Thereareindicationsthatthemanwascrazedwithfearbeforeeverhebegantorun。’
`Howcanyousaythat？’
`Iampresumingthatthecauseofhisfearscametohimacrossthemoor。Ifthatwereso，anditseemsmostprobableonlyamanwhohadlosthiswitswouldhaverunfromthehouseinsteadoftowardsit。Ifthegipsy’sevidencemaybetakenastrue，heranwithcriesforhelpinthedirectionwherehelpwasleastlikelytobe。Then，again，whomwashewaitingforthatnight，andwhywashewaitingforhimintheyewalleyratherthaninhisownhouse？’
`Youthinkthathewaswaitingforsomeone？’
`Themanwaselderlyandinfirm。Wecanunderstandhistakinganeveningstroll，butthegroundwasdampandthenightinclement。Isitnaturalthatheshouldstandforfiveortenminutes，asDr。Mortimer，withmorepracticalsensethanIshouldhavegivenhimcreditfor，deducedfromthecigarash？’
`Buthewentouteveryevening。’
`Ithinkitunlikelythathewaitedatthemoor—gateeveryevening。
Onthecontrary，theevidenceisthatheavoidedthemoor。Thatnighthewaitedthere。ItwasthenightbeforehemadehisdepartureforLondon。
Thethingtakesshape，Watson。Itbecomescoherent。MightIaskyoutohandmemyviolin，andwewillpostponeallfurtherthoughtuponthisbusinessuntilwehavehadtheadvantageofmeetingDr。MortimerandSirHenryBaskervilleinthemorning。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ConanDoyle：TheHoundoftheBaskervilles04[TableofContents]Chapter4SirHenryBaskervilleOurbreakfasttablewasclearedearly，andHolmeswaitedinhisdressing—gownforthepromisedinterview。Ourclientswerepunctualtotheirappointment，fortheclockhadjuststrucktenwhenDr。Mortimerwasshownup，followedbytheyoungbaronet。Thelatterwasasmall，alert，dark—eyedmanaboutthirtyyearsofage，verysturdilybuilt，withthickblackeyebrowsandastrong，pugnaciousface。Heworearuddy—tintedtweedsuitandhadtheweather—beatenappearanceofonewhohasspentmostofhistimeintheopenair，andyettherewassomethinginhissteadyeyeandthequietassuranceofhisbearingwhichindicatedthegentleman。
`ThisisSirHenryBaskerville，’saidDr。Mortimer。
`Why，yes，’saidhe，`andthestrangethingis，Mr。SherlockHolmes，thatifmyfriendherehadnotproposedcomingroundtoyouthismorningIshouldhavecomeonmyownaccount。Iunderstandthatyouthinkoutlittlepuzzles，andI’vehadonethismorningwhichwantsmorethinkingoutthanIamabletogiveit。’
`Praytakeaseat，SirHenry。DoIunderstandyoutosaythatyouhaveyourselfhadsomeremarkableexperiencesinceyouarrivedinLondon？’
`Nothingofmuchimportance，Mr。Holmes。Onlyajoke，aslikeasnot。Itwasthisletter，ifyoucancallitaletter，whichreachedmethismorning。’
Helaidanenvelopeuponthetable，andweallbentoverit。Itwasofcommonquality，grayishincolour。Theaddress，`SirHenryBaskerville，NorthumberlandHotel，’wasprintedinroughcharacters;thepost—mark`CharingCross，’andthedateofpostingtheprecedingevening。
`WhoknewthatyouweregoingtotheNorthumberlandHotel？’askedHolmes，glancingkeenlyacrossatourvisitor。