Chapter 9 of the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Chapter 9, the light upon the
Moor second report of dr. Watson.
Baskerville Hall, October 15th, my dear Holmes.
If I was compelled to leave you without much news, during the
early days of my mission, you must acknowledge that I'm making
up for lost time, and that events are now adding thick and
fast Upon Us. In my last report, I ended up my
top note with Barrymore at the window and now I have quite a
budget already, which will, unless I'm much mistaken,
considerably surprise you Things have taken a turn, which I could
not have anticipated in some ways they have within the last
48 hours, become much clearer. And in some ways they have
become more complicated, but I will tell you all and you shall
judge for yourself before breakfast on the morning
following my adventure, I went down the corridor and examined
the room in which Barrymore had been on the night before the
Western Windows, through which he had stared.
So intently has, I noticed Peculiarity above all other
windows in the house. It commands.
The nearest outlook on to, the more, there is an opening
between two trees which enables one from this point of view, to
look right down upon it. While from all the other
windows, it is only a distant Glimpse, which can be obtained.
It follows. Therefore, that Barrymore, since
only this window would serve, the purpose must have been
looking out for something or somebody.
Upon the Moor. The night was very dark so that
I can hardly imagine how he could have hoped to see anyone.
It had struck me that it was possible that some love Intrigue
was on foot that would have accounted for his stealthy
movements. And also, for the uneasiness of
his wife, the man is a striking-looking fellow very
well equipped to steal the heart of a country girl.
So that this Theory seemed to have something to support it.
That opening of the door, which I had heard after, I had
returned to my room, might mean that he had gone out to keep
some clandestine appointment. So, I reasoned with myself in
the morning and I tell you the direction of my suspicions,
however, much the result may have shown that they were
unfounded. But whatever, the true
explanation of Barrymore's movements might be, I felt that
the responsibility of keeping them to myself until I could
explain them was more than I could bear.
I had an interview with the baronet in his study after
breakfast and I told him all that I had seen he was less
surprised than I had expected. I knew that Barrymore walked
about nights and I had a mind to speak to him about it said he
two or three times. I've heard his steps in the
passage coming and going just about the our you name.
Perhaps any pays a visit every night that particular window.
I suggested perhaps he does if. So we should be able to Shadow
him and see what it is that he's after, I wonder what your friend
Holmes would do if he were here. I believe that he would do
exactly what you now, suggest said, I he would follow
Barrymore and see what he did. Then we shall do it together but
surely he would hear us. The man is rather deaf.
And in any case, we must take our chance of that will sit up
in my room tonight and wait until he passes.
So Henry rubbed his hands with pleasure when it was evident
that he hailed the adventure as a relief to his somewhat quiet
life upon the Moor. The baronet has been in
communication with the architect who prepared the plans for Sir
Charles and with a contractor from London so that we may
expect great changes to begin here.
Soon, there have been decorators and furnishers up from Plymouth
and it is evident that our friend has large ideas and means
to spare, no, pains or expense to restore the Grandeur of his
family. When the house is renovated and
refurnished all that he will need, will be a wife to make it
complete. Between ourselves, there are
pretty clear signs of this will not be wanting if the lady is
willing for I have seldom seen a man more infatuated with a woman
than he is with our beautiful neighbor Miss Stapleton.
And yet the course of true love does not run quite as smoothly
as one would under the circumstances expect today.
For example, its surface was broken by a very unexpected
Ripple which has caused our friend considerable perplexity
and annoyance after the conversation, which I have
quoted about Barrymore so Henry put on his hat and prepared to
go out as a matter, of course, I did the same.
What are you coming Watson? He asked looking at me in a
curious way, depends on whether you're going on.
The more said hi. Yes, I am.
Well, you know what my instructions are?
I'm sorry to intrude but you heard how earnestly homes
insisted that? I should not leave you and
especially that you should not go alone upon the Moor.
So Henry, put his hand upon my shoulder with a pleasant smile.
My dear fellow said he, it was with all his wisdom did not
foresee some things which have happened since I've been on the
more. He understand me.
I'm sure that you are the last man in the world.
Who would wish to be a spoilsport?
I must go out alone. It put me in a most awkward
position. I was at a loss.
What to say, or what to do. And before I had made up my
mind, he picked up his Cane and was gone.
But when I came to think the matter over my conscience
reproached me, bitterly for having on any pretext allowed
him to go out of my sight. I imagined what my feelings
would be if I had to return to you and to confess at some
Misfortune at occurred through my disregard for your
instructions. I assure you, my cheeks, flushed
at the very thought, it might not even now be too late to
overtake him. So I set off at once in the
direction of merripit house, I hurried along the road at the
top of my speed, without seeing anything of Sir, Henry, until I
came to the point where the more path branches off.
They're fearing that perhaps. I had come in the wrong
direction. After all I mounted a hill from
which I could command a view, the same Hill, which is cut into
the dark Quarry. Thence, I saw him at once, he
was on the warpath about a quarter of a mile off.
And a lady was by his side who could only be Miss Stapleton, it
was clear that there was already an understanding between them
and that they had met by appointment.
They were walking slowly along in deep conversation and I saw
her making quick little movements of our hands as if she
were very Earnest in what she was saying, while he listened
intently and Once or twice, shook his head in strong
dissent. I stood among the rocks,
watching them very much puzzled, as to what I should do next to
follow them and break into their intimate conversation, seemed to
be an outrage. And yet, my clear Duty was never
for an instant to let him out of my sight to act, the Spy upon a
friend, was a hateful task. Still I could see no better
course than to observe him from the hill and to clear my
conscience by confessing to him afterwards.
What I had done It is true that if any sudden danger had
threatened him, I was too far away to be of use.
And yet, I am sure that you will agree with me that the position
was very difficult. And that there was nothing more,
which I could do. Our friend, Sir Henry and the
lady had halted on the path and was standing deeply absorbed in
their conversation when I was suddenly aware that I was not
the only witness of their interview.
A wisp of green floating in the air, caught my eye.
And another glance showed me that it was carried on a stick
by a man who is moving among the Broken Ground.
It was Stapleton with his butterfly.
Net. He was very much closer to the
pair than I was and he appeared to be moving in their Direction.
At this instant so Henry suddenly Drew Miss Stapleton to
his side, his arm was around her, but it seemed to me that
she was straining away from him. With her face averted, he
stooped, his head to hers and she raised one hand as if in
protest. Next moment.
I saw them spring apart and turn hurriedly around Stapleton.
Was the cause of the interruption, he was running
wildly towards them is absurd. Net, dangling behind him?
He just stick you later Dan, almost danced with excitement in
front of the lovers. What the scene meant?
I could not imagine. But it seemed to me that
Stapleton was abusing Sir, Henry, who offered explanations
which became more Angry as the other refused to accept them the
lady, stood by and haughty silence.
Finally Stapleton turned upon his heel and beckoned in a
peremptory way to his sister. Who after an irresolute glance
at Sir Henry walked off by the side of her brother.
The naturalist Sangre gestures showed that the lady was
included in his displeasure. The baronet stood for a minutes
looking after them. And then he walked slowly back
the way that he had come his head hanging the very picture of
dejection What all this meant? I could not imagine, but I was
deeply ashamed to have witnessed so intimate a scene without my
friends knowledge. I ran down the hill there for
and met the baronet at the bottom.
His face was flushed with anger and his brows were wrinkled like
one who is at his wits end, what to do.
Hello, Watson. Where have you dropped from?
Said he, you don't mean to say that you came after me.
In spite of all, I explained everything to him, how I'd found
it impossible to remain behind how I had followed him, and how
I had witnessed all that had occurred for an instant.
His eyes. Blazed at me, but my frankness
disarmed, his anger and he broke at last into a rather rueful
laugh, you would have thought that middle of that.
Perry a fairly safe place for a man to be private said he but by
Sundar, the whole Countryside seems to have been out to see
me. Do my wooing and a mighty poor
willing at that. Where do you engage to seat?
I was on that Hill quite in the back.
Row away with her. Brother was well up to the
front. Did you see him come out on us?
Yes, I did. Did he ever strike you as being
crazy? His brother of hers?
I can't say that he ever did. I dare say not?
I always thought of him saying enough until today, but you can
take it from me that either. He or I ought to be in a
straitjacket. What's the matter with me,
anyhow, you've lived near me for some weeks.
Watson, tell me straight. Is there anything that would
prevent me from making a good husband to a woman that I loved?
I should say not he can't object to my worldly position.
So must be myself that he has this down on what has he against
me. I never hurt man or woman in my
life that I know of and yet he would not so much as let me
touch the tips of her fingers. Did he say so that and a deal
more? I tell you what's.
Mmm, I've only known her these few weeks, but from the first, I
just felt that she was made for me and she to she was Happy when
she was with me and that, I'll swear there's a light in a
woman's eyes that speaks louder than words but he's never let us
get together. And it was only today.
For the first time that I saw a chance of having, a few words
with her alone, she was glad to meet me.
But when she did it was not love that she would talk about and
she wouldn't have let me talk about it either if she could
have stopped it. She kept coming back to it that
this was a place of danger and that she would never be happy
until I'd left it. I told him that since I'd seen
her, I was in, no, hurry to leave it.
And that if she really wanted me to go, the only way to work, it
was for her to arrange to go with me with that.
I offered in as many words to marry her.
But before she could answer down, came this brother of hers
running at us with a face on him, like a madman.
He was just white with rage and those light eyes of his were
blazing with Fury. What was I doing with the lady?
How dead I offer her attentions, which were distasteful to her.
Did I think so? Because I was a baronet, I could
do what I liked. If he had not been her brother,
I should have known better. How to answer him.
As it was, I told him that my feelings towards his sister were
such as I was not ashamed of, as I hope that she might honor Me
by becoming my wife. That seemed to make the matter
know better. So then I lost my temper too.
And I answered him rather more hotly than I should perhaps
considering that she was standing by.
So it ended by his going off with her as you saw and here, am
I as badly puzzled? A man as any in this County.
Just tell me what it all means Watson, and I'll owe you more
than ever. I can hope to pay I tried one or
two explanations, but indeed I was completely puzzled myself.
Our friends title his fortune, his age, his character and his
appearance are all in his favour and I know nothing against him
unless it be this dark fate, which runs in his family.
But his advances should be rejected.
So brusquely without any reference to the lady's own
wishes and that the lady should accept the situation without
protest is very amazing. However, our conjectures were
set at Rest by a visit from Stapleton himself, that very
afternoon. He had come to offer apologies
for his rudeness of the morning. And after a long private
interview with Sir, Henry in his study, the upshot of their
conversation, was that the breach is quite healed.
And that we are to dine at merripit house next, Friday, as
a sign of it. I don't say now that he isn't a
crazy man. Said, Sir, Henry I can't forget
the look in his eyes when he ran at me this morning, but I must
allow that no man could make a more handsome apology than he
has done. Did he give any explanation of
his conduct? His sister is everything in his
life. He says that is natural enough
and I'm glad that he should understand her value.
They've always been together and according to his account he has
been a very lonely man with only her as a companion.
So that the thought of losing her was really terrible to him.
He had not understood. He said that I was becoming
attached to her, but when he saw with his own eyes that it was
really so, and that she might be taken away from him.
It's Gave him such a shock. But for a time he was not
responsible for what he said or did.
He was very sorry for all that had passed.
And he recognized, how foolish and how selfish it was that he
should imagine that he could hold a beautiful woman like his
sister to himself for her whole life.
If she had to leave him he had rather it was to a neighbor like
myself than to anyone else. But in any case it was a blow to
him and it would take him some time before he could prepare
himself to meet it. He would withdraw all opposition
upon his part, if I would promise for three months to let
the matter rest and to be content with cultivating, the
ladies friendship during that time without claiming her love.
This, I promised. And so the matter rests So there
is one of our small Mysteries cleared up.
It is something to have touched bottom anywhere in this bog in
which we are floundering. We know now why Stapleton looked
with disfavor upon his sister's Suitor even when that studio is
so eligible, a one as Sir Henry. And now I pass on to another
thread which I have extricated out of the Tangled skein, The
Mystery of the sobs in the night of the tear-stained face of mrs.
Barrymore, Of the secret journey of the butler to the Western
lattice window. Congratulate me my dear Holmes
and tell me that I have not disappointed.
You as an agent that you do not regret the confidence, which you
showed him me when you sent me down.
All these things have by one nights work being thoroughly
cleared. I have said by one nights work,
but in truth, it was by two nights work.
For on the first, we drew entirely blank.
I sat up with Sir Henry in his rooms until nearly 3:00 in the
morning, but no sound of any sort.
Did we hear except the chiming clock upon the stairs?
It was a most Melancholy vigil and ended by each of us falling
asleep in our chairs. Fortunately, we were not
discouraged and we determined to try again.
The next night we lowered the lamp and set smoking cigarettes
without making the least sound. It was incredible.
How slowly the hours crawled by. And yet, we were helped through
it by the same sort of patient interest, which the hunter must
feel as he watches the Trap into which she hopes the game May
Wonder. Once truck and two and we had
almost for the second time given it up in despair.
When in an instant, we both sat bolt upright in our chairs with
all our weary senses keenly on the alert.
Once more, we had heard the Creak of a step in the passage.
Very stealthily. We heard it pass along until it
died away in the distance. Then the baronet gently opened
his door and we set out in Pursuit already.
Our man had gone round the gallery and the corridor was all
in darkness softly. We stole along until we had come
into the other Wing. We were just in time to catch a
glimpse of the tall, black bearded figure, his shoulders,
rounded as he tiptoed down the passage then he passed.
Through the same door as before, and the light of the candle
framed, it in the darkness and shot.
One single yellow beam across the Gloom of the corridor.
We shuffled cautiously towards it.
Trying every plank before we dare to put our whole weight
upon it. We had taken the precaution of
leaving our boots behind us, but even so, the old boards snapped
and creaked, beneath our tread, sometimes it seemed impossible
that he should fail to hear our approach.
However, the man is fortunately, rather deaf, and he was entirely
preoccupied in that, which he was doing.
When at last, we reached the door and peeped through, we
found him crouching at the window.
Candle in hand, his white intent face pressed against a pain.
Exactly. As I had seen him two nights
before. We had arranged no plan of
campaign but the baronet is a man to whom the most direct way
is always the most natural. He walked into the room and as
he did. So Barrymore sprang up from the
window with a sharp hiss of his breath.
And stood livid and trembling before us his dark eyes glaring
out of the white mask of his face were full of horror and
astonishment as he gazed from Sir Henry to me.
What are you doing here Barrymore?
Nothing sir. His agitation was so great that
he could hardly speak and the Shadows sprang up and down from
the shaking of his candle. It was the window.
Sir I go round at night to say that there are fastened on the
second floor. Yes, sir.
All the windows. Look here.
Barrymore said Sir Henry sternly we have made up our minds to
have the truth out of you. So it will save you trouble to
tell it sooner rather than later.
Come now. No lies.
What were you doing at that window?
Fellow looked at us in a helpless way and he wrung his
hands together. Like one who is in the last
extremity of doubt and misery. I was doing no arm sir.
I was holding a candle to the window.
And why were you holding a candle to the window?
Don't ask me saying, sorry don't ask me, I give you my word sir.
It is not my secret and I cannot tell it if it concerned no one
but myself I would not try to keep it from you.
A sudden idea occurred to me, and I took the candle from the
trembling hand of the butler, he must have been holding it as a
signal. That I let us see if there is
any answer. I held it as he had done and
stared out into the darkness of the night.
Vaguely I could discern the black Bank of the trees and the
lighter. Expanse of the Moor for the moon
was behind the clouds and then I gave a cry of exultation.
For a tiny pinpoint of yellow light had suddenly transfixed
the dark Veil and glowed steadily in the center of the
black Square framed by the window.
There it is. I cried?
No, no, sir. It is nothing.
Nothing at all the butler. Broken, are you sure you sir?
Move your light across the window.
Watson cried, the baronet. See the other moves.
Also, now, you rascal do you deny that it is a signal come
speak up, who is your Confederate out yonder?
And what is this conspiracy? That is going on?
The man's face became openly defiant.
It is more a business and not yours.
I will not tell then you leave my employment right away, very
good sir. If I must I must and you go in
disgrace by Thunder, you may well be ashamed of yourself.
Your family has lived with mine for over a hundred years under
this roof. And here I find you deep in some
dark plot against me. Now no sir, not against you.
It was a woman's voice and mrs. Barrymore, paler, and more
horror-struck than her husband was standing at the door.
Her bulky figure in a shawl and skirt might have been comic who
were it? Not for the intensity of feeling
upon her face. We off to go Eliezer, this is
the end of it. You can pack our things said the
butler old John. John of a brought you to this.
It is my doing sir Henry. Me or mine.
He has done nothing except for my sake and because I asked him
speak out then what does it mean?
My unhappy brother is starving on the more.
We cannot let him perish at are very Gates.
The light is a signal to him that food is ready for him and
his light out yonder is to show the spot to which to bring it.
And your brother is the escaped convict sir Selden the criminal.
That's the truth. Sir said Barrymore, I said that
it was not my secret and I could not tell it to you, but now
you've heard it and you'll see that if there was a plot it was
not against you. This time was the explanation of
the stealthy Expeditions at night and the light at the
window. So Henry and I both stared at
the woman in amazement was it possible this stolidly
respectable person was of the same blood as one of the most
notorious criminals in the country.
Yes, sir, my name is seldom and he is my younger brother.
Were you murdered him too much? When he was a lad and gave him
his own way in everything, until he came to think that the world
was made for his pleasure and that he could do what he liked
in it. Then as he Grew Older, he met
Wicked Companions and the devil entered into him until he broke
my mother's heart and dragged her name in the dirt.
From crime to Crime. He sank lower and lower until it
is only the mercy of God which has snatched him from the
scaffold. But to me sir he was always a
little curly-headed boy that I had nursed and played with as an
elder sister would that was why he broke prison sir.
He knew that I was here and we could not refuse to help him
when he dragged himself here. One night we re in starving with
the ward as out of his heels. What could we do?
We took him in and fed him and cared for him and you returned
sir. And my brother thought he would
be safer on the more than anywhere else until the Hue and
cry was over. So he lay in hiding there, but
every second night, we made sure if he was still there by putting
a light in the window, in if there was an answer, my husband
took out some bread and meat to him every day.
We hope that he was gone. But as long as he was there, we
couldn't desert him. That is the old truth.
As I am an honest Christian woman and you'll see that if
there is a blame in the matter, he doesn't lie with my husband.
But with me for whose sake, he's done all that he has The woman's
words, came with an intense earnestness, which carried
conviction with them. Is this true Barrymore?
Yes, sir. Henry, every word of it.
Well, I cannot blame you for standing by your own wife.
Forget what I've said, go to your room, you two and we shall
talk further about this matter in the morning.
When they were gone we looked out of the window again.
So Henry had flung it open and the cold night wind beat in upon
our faces. Far away in the black distance,
they're still glowed that one tiny point of yellow light.
I wonder he dares said, Sir. Henry, it may be so placed as to
be only visible from here. Very likely, how far do you
think it is out by the cleft? Or I think not more than a mile
or two off hardly that. Well, it cannot be far if
Barrymore had to carry out the food to it and he's waiting
because villain beside that candle by Thunder Watson.
I'm going out to take that, man. The same sort of crossed my own
mind. It was not as if the Barrymore's
had taken us into their confidence, their secret have
been forced from them. The man was a danger to the
community and unmitigated scoundrel for whom there was
neither pity, nor excuse. We were only doing our duty and
taking this chance of putting him back where he could do no
harm. With this brutal and violent
nature others would have to pay the price if we held our hands.
any night, for example, our neighbors, the stapleton's might
be attacked by him, and it may have been the thought of this,
which made Sir, Henry, so Keen upon the adventure I'll come
said, I then get your revolver and put on your boots.
The sooner we start the better as the fellow may put out this
light and be off. In five minutes, we were outside
the door, starting Upon Our Expedition, we hurried through
the dark Shrubbery, amid the doll, moaning of the Autumn Wind
and the rustle of the falling leaves.
The night air was Heavy with the smell of damp and decay.
Now and again the Moon picked out for an instant but clouds
were driving over the face of the sky and just as we came out
on the Moor, a thin rain began to fall the light still burn
steadily in front. Are you armed?
I asked, I have a hunting crop. We must close in on him rapidly
for. He said to be a desperate fellow
which will take him by surprise and have him at our Mercy before
he can resist. I'd say Watson said the baronet,
what would home say to this? How about that hour of darkness,
in which the power of evil is exalted?
As if in answer to his words There Rose suddenly out of the
vast Gloom of the more that strange cry.
Which I had already heard upon the borders of the great grimpen
mire, It came with the Wind Through The Silence of the
night, a long deep mutter than a rising howl.
And then the sad moment in which it died away again and again, it
sounded the whole are throbbing with it.
Strident wild and menacing the baronet caught my sleeve and his
face. Glimmered white through the
darkness. My God.
What's that Watson? I don't know, it's a sound they
have on the more I heard it once before.
It died away and then absolute silence closed in upon us.
We stood straining our ears, but nothing came Watson said, the
baronet, it was the Cry of a hound.
My blood run cold in my veins for there was a break in his
voice which told of the sudden horror which had seized him.
What do they call this sound? He asked who the folk on the
countryside though. They are ignorant.
People. Why should you mind what they
call it? Tell me what sun' what do they
say of it? I hesitated but could not escape
the question. They say it is the Cry Of The
Hound of the Baskervilles. He groaned and was silent for a
few moments how old it was. He said at last but it seemed to
come from Miles Away Over Yonder, I think It was hard to
say whence It came it Rose and fell with a wind.
Isn't that the direction of the great?
Grimpen mire? Yes it is.
Well, it was up there. Come now Watson.
Didn't you think of self that? It was a cry of a hound?
I'm not a child. You need not fear to speak the
truth. Stapleton was with me when I
heard it last. He said that it might be the
calling of a strange bird. No, no, it was a Hound, my God
cannot be some truth in all these stories.
Is it possible that I'm really in danger from so darker cause
you don't believe it. Do you Watson?
No, no, and yet. It was one thing to laugh about
it in London. And it is another to stand out
here in the darkness of the more and to hear such a cry as that.
And my uncle, it was the footprint of the Hound beside
him, as he lay it all fits together.
I don't think that I'm a coward Watson, but that sound seemed to
freeze my very blood feel my hand.
It was as cold as a block of marble.
You'll be all right tomorrow. I don't think I'll get that cry
out of my head. What do you advise that we do
now? Shall we turn back?
No by thunder. We've come out to get our man
and we will do it. We after the convict and a
hellhound as likely as not after us.
Come on. We'll see it through.
If all the fins of the pitch were loosed upon the Moor.
We stumbled slowly along in the darkness with the black Loom of
the craggy hills around us and the yellow speck of light
burning steadily in front. There is nothing.
So deceptive, as a distance of a light upon a pitch-dark night
and sometimes the glimmer seem to be far away upon the Horizon
and sometimes it might have been within a few yards of us.
But at last we could see whence it came.
And then we knew that we were indeed very close.
A guttering candle was stuck in a crevice of the Rocks which
flanked it on each side. So as to keep the wind from it
and also to prevent it from being visible, save in the
direction of Baskerville Hall, A boulder of granite concealed,
our approach and crouching behind it.
We gazed over it at the signal light.
It was strange to see this single candle burning there in
the middle of the Moor with no sign of Life near it.
Just the one straight yellow flame and The Gleam of the rock
on each side of it. What should we do now?
Whispered Sir Henry wait. Here, he must be near his light.
Let us see if we can get a glimpse of him.
The words were hardly out of my mouth.
When we both saw him over the rocks, in the crevice of which
the candle burned, there was thrust out and evil yellow face.
A terrible animal face all seemed and scored with vile,
passions foul with Maya with a bristling beard and hung with
matted hair. It might well have belonged to
one of those old Savages who dwelt in the borough's on the
hillsides. The light beneath him was
reflected in his small cunning Sighs which peered fiercely to
right and left through the darkness, like a crafty and
Savage. Animal, who's heard the steps of
the hunters. Something had evidently aroused,
his suspicions, it may have been that Barrymore had some private
signal, which we had neglected to give all the fellow may have
had some other reason for thinking that all was not, well,
but I could read his fears upon his Wicked face.
Any instant, he might dash out the light and vanish in the
darkness. I sprang forward therefore and
to Henry did the same, at the same moment, the convict
screamed out a curse at us and hurled a rock, which splinted up
against a boulder which had sheltered us.
I caught one glimpse of his short squat strongly built
figure as he sprang to his feet and turned to run.
At the same moment by a lucky chance, the moon broke through
the clouds, we rushed over the brow of the hill and there was
our man running with great speed down the other side, springing
over the stones in his way with the activity of a mountain goat.
A lucky long shot of My Revolver might have crippled him but I
brought it only to defend myself if attacked and not to shoot an
unarmed man who is running away. We were both Swift Runners and
in Fairly good training but we soon found that we had no chance
of overtaking him. We saw him for a long time in
the Moonlight until he was only a small Speck, moving swiftly
Among The Boulders upon the side of a distant Hill.
We ran and ran until we were completely blown, but the space
between us grew ever wider. Finally, we stopped and sat
panting onto rocks while we watched him disappearing in the
distance. And it was at this moment that
there occurred a most strange and unexpected thing.
We had risen from our rocks and we're turning to go home.
Having abandoned the Hopeless, chase.
The moon was low upon the right and the jagged Pinnacle of a
granite tour. Stood up against the lower curve
of its silver disc. They're outlined as black as any
ebony. Statue on that shining
background. I saw the figure of a man upon
the tour. Do you think that it was a
delusion homes? I assure you that I have never
in my life, seen anything more. Clearly as far as I could judge,
the figure was that of a tall thin man.
He stood with his legs, a little separated, his arms folded, his
head bowed as if he were brooding over that enormous
Wilderness of peat and granite, which lay before him?
He might have been the very Spirit of that terrible place.
It was not the convict. This man was far from the place
where the latter had disappeared besides.
He was a much taller man. With a cry of surprise, I
pointed him out to the baronet, but in the instant, during which
I had turned to grasp his arm, the man was gone.
There was the sharp Pinnacle of granite, still cutting the lower
edge of the moon, but its peak. Born no trace of that, silent
and motionless figure. I wish to go in that direction
and to search the tour, but it was some distance away.
The baronet's nerves were still quivering from that cry, which
recalled the dark story of his family and he was not in the
mood for fresh Adventures. He had not seen this lonely man
upon the tour and could not feel the thrill, which is strange
presence and his commanding attitude had given to me, award
are no doubt said he, the more has been sick with them since
this fellow escaped. Well, perhaps his explanation
may be the right one but I should like to have some further
proof of it. Today, we mean to communicate to
the Princetown people where they should look for their missing
man but it is hard lines that we have not actually had the
Triumph of bringing him back as our own prisoner.
Such are the adventures of last night and you must acknowledge
my dear Holmes that I've done you very well.
In the matter of a report. Much of what I tell you is no
doubt quite irrelevant, but still I feel that it is best
that I should let you have all the facts and leave you to
select for yourself those which will be of most service to you
in helping you to your conclusions.
We're certainly making some progress so far as the
Barrymore's go. We have found the motive of
their actions. And that has cleared up the
situation very much but the more with its Mysteries and it's
strange inhabitants remains as inscrutable as ever.
Perhaps in my next, I may be able to throw some light upon
this also best of all, would it be if you could come down to us?
In any case you will hear from me again in the course of the
next few days? End of chapter 9.