Chapter 5 of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Chapter 53, broken threads,
Sherlock Holmes had in a very remarkable degree.
The power of detaching, his mind at will for two hours.
The strange business in which we had been involved.
Appeared to be forgotten and he was entirely absorbed in the
pictures of the modern Belgian Masters.
He would talk of nothing but art of which he had the crudest
ideas from are leaving the gallery until we found ourselves
at the Northumberland Hotel. So Henry Baskerville is upstairs
expecting you. So, the Clark he asked me to
show you up at once when you came, Have you any objection to
my looking at your register said, Holmes, not in the least.
The book show. That two names have been added
after that of Baskerville One was Theophilus Johnson and
family of Newcastle the other mrs.
Old more and made of high Lodge Alton Surely that must be the
same Johnson whom I Used to Know said Holmes to the porter.
A lawyer. Is he not gray-haired and walks
with a limp. Now sir this is mr.
Johnson the coal owner, a very active gentlemen, not older than
yourself. Surely you are mistaken about
his trade, no sir. He is used this hotel for many
years and he's very well known to us.
That settles it. Mrs. Old more to I seem to
remember the name, excuse my curiosity, but often in calling
upon one friend, one finds another, she's an invalid lady.
Sir, her husband was once mayor of Gloucester.
She always comes to us when she's in town.
Thank you. I'm afraid.
I cannot claim her acquaintance. We've established a most
important fact by these questions Watson.
He continued in a low voice as we went upstairs together.
We know now that the people who are so interested in our friend
have not settled down in his own hotel, that means that while
they are as we have seen very anxious to watch him, they are
equally anxious that he should not see them now this is a most
suggestive fact. What is it suggests?
It's suggest. Hello.
My dear fellow what on Earth is the matter as we came around the
top of the stairs we'd run up against Sir Henry Baskerville
himself. His face was flushed with anger
and he held an old and Dusty Boot in one of his hands.
So Furious, was he that he was hardly articulate and when he
did speak, it was in a much broader and more Western dialect
than any, which we had heard from him in the morning.
So, Seems to me. They are playing me for a sucker
in this hotel. He cried.
They'll find those start into monkey with the wrong, man.
And Lester, Careful by Thunder. If that chap can't find my
missing boat, they'll be trouble.
I can take a joke with the best mr.
Holmes, but they've got a bit over the mark, this time.
Still looking for your boot? Yes, sir.
And mean to find it. But surely you said that it was
a new Brown boot. So it was Sir.
And now it's an old black one. What you don't mean to say,
that's just what I do mean to say, I only had three pairs in
the world, the new Brown, the old black, and the patent
Leathers which I'm wearing last night, they took one of my brown
ones and today they have sneaked one of the black.
Well, have you got it? Speak out, man, and don't stand
staring. An agitated German waiter had
appeared upon the scene. No, sir.
I have made inquiry all over the hotel, but I can hear no word of
it. Well, either that boot comes
back before Sundown, or I'll see the manager and tell him that I
go right straight out of this hotel.
It shall be found sir. I promise you that, if you'll
have a little patience, it will be found mind.
It is for, it's the last thing of mine that are losing his den
of Thieves. Well, well mr.
Holmes, you'll excuse my troubling.
You about such a trifle. I think it's well worth
troubling about why you look very serious over it.
How do you explain it? I just don't attempt to explain
it. It seems the very maddest
queerest thing that ever happened to me.
The queerest perhaps said Holmes thoughtfully.
What do you make of it yourself? Well, I don't profess to
understand it yet. This case of yours is very
complex Henry when taken in conjunction with your uncle's
death. I'm not sure that all the 500
cases of capital importance, which I've handled there is one
which Cuts so deep, but we hold several threads in our hands and
the odds are that one or other of them guides us to the truth.
We may waste time in following the wrong one, but sooner or
later we must come upon the right.
We had a pleasant luncheon in which little was said of the
business, which had brought us together.
It was in the private sitting room to which we afterwards
repaired. But Holmes asked Baskerville,
what were his intentions To go to Baskerville Hall.
And when at the end of the week, On the whole said, Holmes.
I think that your decision is a wise.
One, I have ample evidence that you are being dogged in London
and amid the millions of this great City, it is difficult to
discover who these people are or what their object, can be.
If their intentions are evil, they might do your mischief and
we should be powerless to prevent it.
You did not know dr. Mortimer, that you are followed
this morning from my house, dr. Mortimer started violently
followed by whom that unfortunately, is what I cannot
tell. You have your mum, your
neighbors or acquaintances on Dartmoor, any man, with a black
full beard know. Or let me see why.
Yes, Barrymore, sir Charles's Butler is a man with a full
bladder. Could be hid.
Huh? Where is Barrymore?
He is in charge of the hall. We had best ascertain if he is
really there or if by any possibility, he might be in
London. How can you do that?
Give me a telegraph form. Is already for Sir, Henry that
will do addressed to mr. Barrymore, Baskerville Hall,
what is the nearest Telegraph office?
Grimpen very good. We will send a second wire to
the postmaster. Grimpen telegram to mr.
Barrymore, to be delivered into his own hand.
If absent, please return wire to Sir, Henry Baskerville
Northumberland hotel that should let us know before evening,
whether Barrymore is at his post in Devonshire or not.
That's so sad Baskerville. By the way, dr.
Mortimer, who is this Barrymore? Anyhow?
He is the son of the old. Caretaker who is dead.
They have looked after the whole for four generations.
Now, so far, as I know, he and his wife are as respectable a
couple as Any in the county, at the same time, said Baskerville.
It's clear enough that so long as there are none of the family
at the hall. These people have a mighty fine
home and nothing to do. That is true.
Did Barrymore profit At All by Sir.
Charles's will asked Holmes. He and his wife had 500 pounds
each huh? Did they know that they would
receive this? Yes Sir Charles was very fond of
talking about the provisions of his will that is very
interesting. I hope said dr.
Mortimer at you do not look with suspicious Eyes.
Upon everyone who received a legacy from Sir.
Charles for I also had a thousand pounds left to me.
Indeed and anyone else there were many in significant sums to
individuals and a large number of public Charities.
The residue all went to see Henry and how much was the
residue seven hundred and forty thousand pounds?
Holmes raised his eyebrows in Surprise.
I had no idea that. So gigantic, a some was involved
said he Sir, Charles had the reputation of being rich, but we
did not know how very rich he was until we came to examine his
Securities. The total value of the estate
was closed on to a million. Dear me, it is a steak for which
a man might well play A desperate game and one more
question. Dr. Mortimer.
Supposing that anything happened to our young friend.
Here, you. Give the unpleasant hypothesis,
who would inherit the estate? Since Rodger Baskerville such as
his youngest brother died, unmarried the estate would
descend to the Desmond's who are distant cousins.
James Desmond is an elderly clergyman in Westmoreland.
Thank you. These details are all of great
interest. Have you met mr.
James Desmond. Yes.
He once came down to visit Sir Charles is a man of venerable
appearance and of saintly life. I remember that he refused to
accept any settlement from Sir Charles though he pressed it
upon him. And this man of simple, tastes
would be the heir to Sir Charles's thousands.
He would be the heir to the estate because that is entailed.
He would also be the heir to the money unless it were willed.
Otherwise by the present owner, who can, of course, do what he
likes with it. And have you made your will Sir
Henry know mr. Holmes I have not I've had no
time for. It was only yesterday that I
learned how matters stood but in any case I feel that the money
should go with the title and estate.
That was my poor uncle's idea. How is the only going to restore
the glories of the Baskervilles? If he has not money enough to
keep up the property house land and dollars must go together?
Quite so well. So Henry, I am of one mind with
you as to the advisability of you going down to Devonshire
without delay. There is only one provision
which I must make you certainly must not go alone dr.
Mortimer returns with me. But dr.
Mortimer has his practice to attend to and his house is miles
away from yours with all the Good Will in the world.
He may be unable to help you. Now, Sir Henry, you must take
with you, someone a trustee Mann, who will be always by your
side? Is it possible that you could
calm yourself mr. Holmes.
If matters came to a crisis, I should Endeavor to be present in
person, but you can understand that with my extensive
Consulting practice and with the constant appeals, which reach me
from many quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent
from London for an indefinite time at the present.
Instant, one of the most revered names in England, is being
besmirched by a blackmailer and only, I can stop a disastrous
Scandal. You will see how impossible it
is for me to go to Dartmoor. Who would you recommend then
Holmes, laid his hand upon my arm?
If my friend would undertake it, there is no man who has better
worth having it your side when you're in a tight place.
No one can say more confidently than I.
The proposition took me completely by surprise but
before I had time to answer Baskerville seized me by the
hand and wrung it heartily. Well now that is real kind of
you dr. Watson said he you see how it is
with me and you know just as much about the matter as I do if
you will come down to Baskerville Hall and see me
through, I'll never forget it, the promise of Adventure had
always a Fascination for me and I was complemented by the words
of homes and by The eagerness with which the baronet hailed me
as a companion. How come with pleasure said?
I I do not know how I could employ my time better.
And you will report very carefully to me, said, Holmes,
when a crisis comes as it will do, I will direct how you shall
act. I suppose that by Saturday, all
might be ready. Would that suit dr.
Watson perfectly. Then on Saturday unless you hear
to the contrary, we shall meet at the 10:30 train from
Paddington. We had risen to depart when
Baskerville gave a cry of Triumph and diving into one of
the corners of the room. He drew, a brown boot from,
under a cabinet. My missing boot.
He cried may all our difficulties vanish as easily
said Sherlock Holmes, but it is a very singular thing, dr.
Mortimer remarked. I searched his room carefully
before lunch and so did. I said Baskerville every inch of
it? It.
There was certainly no boot in it.
Then in that case, the waiter must have placed it there while
we were lunching, the German was sent for but profess to know
nothing of the matter. Nor could any inquiry clear it
up. Another item has been added to
that constant and apparently purposeless series of small
Mysteries, which had succeeded each other so rapidly.
Setting aside the whole Grim story of Sir Charles's death, we
had a line of inexplicable incidents all within the limits
of two days which included the receipt of the printed letter.
The black-bearded spy in the handsome, the loss of the new
Brown boot, the loss of the old black Boot.
And now, the return of the new Brown boot home sat in silence
in the cab as we drove back to Baker Street, and I knew from
his drawn brows and Keen face and his Mind like my own was
busy and endeavoring to frame some scheme into which all these
strange. And apparently disconnected
episodes could be fitted all afternoon and late into the
evening. He sat lost in tobacco and
thought. Just before dinner, two
telegrams were handed in the first ran have just heard that
Barrymore is at the hall Baskerville.
The second visited, 23 hotels as directed, but sorry to report.
Unable to trace cut sheet of times cart right there.
Go, two of my threads Watson, there is nothing more
stimulating than a case where everything goes against you.
We must cast around for another Cent.
We still have the cabman who drove the Spy, Exactly.
I have wired to get his name and address from the official
registry. I should not be surprised if
this were an answer to my question.
The ring at the Bell, prove to be something even more
satisfactory than an answer. However, for the door opened and
a rough-looking fellow entered who was evidently the man
himself are got a message from the Eddie office that gently
this address have been inquiring for number 2704 said he, I've
driven my cab this seven years and never a word of complaint
are came here. Straight from the yard to ask
you to your face, what you got against me?
I have nothing in the world against you, my good man, said,
Holmes on the contrary, I have half a sovereign for you.
If you'll give me a clear answer to my questions.
Well, I've had a good dye and now we stake said the cabman
with a grin, what was it? You wanted to ask sir?
First of all, your name and address in case I want you
again, John Clayton, Three Turkey Street, the borough my
cab is out of Shipley's, yard near Waterloo Station, Sherlock
Holmes, made a note of it. Now Clayton, tell me all about
the fair who came and watched this house at 10:00 this morning
and afterwards. Followed the two gentlemen down
Regent Street, the man looked surprised and a little
embarrassed. Why there's no good.
My telling you things for you seem to know as much as I do
already said he the truth is that the gentleman told me that
he was a detective and I was to say nothing about him to anyone.
My good fellow. This is a very serious business
and you may find yourself in a pretty bad position.
If you try to hide anything from me, you say that your fair told
you that he was a detective. Yes, he did.
When did he say this? When he left me, did he say
anything more? He mentioned his name.
Holmes, cast a swift glance of Triumph at me.
Oh he mentioned his name did he? That was imprudent.
What was the name that he mentioned?
His name said the cabin was mr. Sherlock Holmes.
Never have I seen my friend more completely taken aback.
And by the cabman's reply for an instant, he sat in silent.
Amazement. And he burst into a hearty
laugh. A touch Watson and undeniable.
Touch said he I feel a foil as quick and subtle as my own.
You got home upon me. Very critically that time.
So his name was Sherlock Holmes. Was it?
Yes, sir, it was a gentleman's name.
Excellent, tell me where you picked him up and all that
occurred. He hailed me at 9:30 in
Trafalgar Square. He said that he was a detective
and he offered me two guineas. If I would do exactly what he
wanted all day and ask no questions, I was glad enough to
agree. First, we drove down to the
Northumberland hotel and waited there until two gentlemen, came
out and took a cab from the rank.
We followed their cabin, till it pulled up somewhere near here.
This very door said Holmes. Well, I can't be sure of that,
but I daresay, my fair knew all about it.
We pulled up halfway down the street, and waited an hour and a
half, and the two gentlemen passed us.
Walking and we followed down Baker Street and along, I know.
Said Holmes until we got three quarters down, Regent Street and
my Gentleman throughout the Trap and he cried that I should drive
right away to Waterloo Station. As I could go, I whipped up the
mayor and we were there under the ten minutes and he paid up
his two guineas like a good one and away.
He went into the station only just as he was leaving.
He turned round. He said it might interest you to
know that you've been driving mr.
Sherlock Holmes. That's how I came to know the
name. I see and you saw no more of
him. Not after he went into the
station and how would you describe mr.
Sherlock Holmes, The cabmen scratched his head.
Well, he wasn't altogether, such an easy gentlemen to describe.
I put them at four years of age and he was a middle light, two
or three inches shorter than you sir.
He was dressed like a tough and he had a black beard cut square
at the end and a pale face. I Now as I could say any more
than that color of his eyes now I can't say that nothing more
that you can remember no sir nothing.
Well then here is your half-sovereign.
There's another one waiting for you if you can bring any more
information. Good night, good night, Sir and
thank you, John Clayton, departed chuckling, and Holmes
turned to me with a shrug of his shoulders and a rueful smile.
Snap goes our third thread and we end where we began said he,
the cunning Rascal he knew our number knew that Sir Henry
Baskerville had consulted me spotted who I was in Regent
Street. Conjectured that I had got the
number of the cab and would lay my hands on the driver.
And so sent back this audacious message.
I tell you what, sun' this time. We have got a phone man, who is
worthy of our steel I've been checkmated in London.
I can only wish you better luck in Devonshire but I'm not easy
in my mind about it. About what about sending you?
It's an ugly business, Watson and ugly dangerous business and
the more I see of it the less. I like it.
Yes, my dear fellow, you may laugh but I give you my word.
I shall be very glad to have you back safe and sound in Baker
Street. Once more.
End of chapter 5.