Chapter 13 of the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Chapter XIII fixing the Nets.
We're at close grips at last said, Holmes as we walked
together across the Moor. What a nerve.
The fellow has how he pulled himself together in the face of
what must have been a paralyzing shock when he found that the
wrong, man had fallen a victim to his plot.
I told you in London, Watson. And I tell you now again, that
we have never had a foam and more worthy of our Steel.
I'm sorry that he's seen you and so was I at first, but there was
no getting out of it. What effect do you think it will
have on his plans now that he knows you're here.
It may cause him to be more cautious or it may drive him to
Desperate Measures at once. Like most clever criminals, he
may be too confident in his own cleverness and imagine that he
has completely deceived us. Why should we not arrest him at
once? My dear Watson, you were born to
be a man of action. Your instinct is always to do
something energetic, but supposing for argument's sake
that we had him arrested tonight.
What on Earth? The better off.
Should we be for that? We could prove nothing against
him. There's the devilish cunning of
it. If he were acting through a
human agent, we could get some evidence.
But if we were to drag this great dog to the light of day,
it would not help us in putting a rope around the neck of its
Master. Surely, we have a case, not a
shadow of one, only surmise and conjecture.
We should be laughed out of court.
If we came with such a story and such evidence, there is such as
death. Found dead without a mark upon
him. You and I know that he died of
sheer fright. We know also what frightened
him, but how we to get 12 stolid.
Jury men to know it. What signs are there of a hound?
Where are the marks of the fangs?
Of course, we know that a Hound does not bite a dead body and
that Sir Charles was dead before ever.
The Brute overtook him, but we have to prove all this and we
are not in a position to do it. Well then tonight we are not
much better off tonight. Again there was no direct
connection between the hound and the man's death.
We never saw the Hound. We heard it, but we could not
prove that it was running upon this man's Trail.
There is a complete absence of motive.
No, my dear fellow. We must reconcile ourselves to
the fact that we have no case at present and that it is worth our
while to run any risk in order to establish one.
And how do you propose to do so? I have great hopes of what.
Mrs. Laura, Lyons may do for us when the position of Affairs is
made clear to her. And I have my own plan as well,
sufficient for tomorrow is the evil thereof, but I hope before
the day is passed to have the upper hand at last.
I could draw nothing further from him and he walked lost in
thought as far as the Baskerville gates.
Are you coming up? Yes, I see no reason for further
concealment, but one last word, Watson say nothing of the Hound
to Sir. Henry, let him think that
selden's death was as Stapleton. Would have us believe.
He will have a better nerve for the ordeal, which you will have
to undergo tomorrow when he is engaged.
If I remember your reporter right to dine with these people.
And so am I Then you must excuse yourself and he must go alone
that will be easily arranged. And now if we are too late for
dinner, I think as we are both ready for our suppers.
So Henry was more pleased and surprised to see Sherlock
Holmes, for he had for some days.
Been expecting that recent events would bring him down from
London. He did raise his eyebrows.
However, when he found that, my friend had neither any luggage
nor any explanations for its absence.
Between us. We soon, supplied his once, and
then over a belated supper, we explain to the baronet as much
of our experience as it seemed desirable that he should know.
But first, I had the unpleasant duty of breaking the news to
Barrymore and his wife to him. It may have been an unmitigated
relief, but she wept bitterly in her apron to all the world.
He was the man of violence, half, animal and half demon.
But to her he is always Maned the little willful boy of her
own girlhood the child who had clung to her hand evil, indeed
is the man who has not one woman to mourn him.
I've been moping in the house all day since Watson went off in
the morning. So the baronet I guess, I should
have some credit for I have kept my promise if I hadn't sworn not
to go about alone, I might have had a more lively evening for I
had a message from Stapleton asking the over there.
I have no doubt that you would have had a more lively evening
said Holmes, dryly by the way I don't suppose you appreciate
that we have been mourning over you as having broken your neck.
So Henry opened his eyes. How was that?
This poor wretch was dressed in your clothes.
I fear your servant, who gave them to him, may get into
trouble with the police. That is unlikely.
There was no mark on any of them.
As far as I know, that's lucky for him.
In fact, it's lucky for all of you, since you are all on the
wrong side of the law in this matter, I am not sure.
That as a conscientious detective, my first duty is not
to arrest the whole household. Watson's reports are most
incriminating documents but how about the case asked the
baronet, have you made anything out of the tangle?
I don't know that Watson and I are much the wiser since we came
down. I think that I shall be in a
position to make the situation rather more clear to you before
long. It has been an exceedingly
difficult and most it complicated business.
There are several points upon which we still want light, but
it is coming all the same. We've had one experience as
Watson has no doubt told you we heard the Hound on the more so I
can swear that it is not all empties Superstition.
I had something to do with dogs when I was out west and I know
one, when I hear one, if you can muzzle that one and put him on a
chain, I'll be ready to swear. You are the greatest detective
of all time. I think I will muzzle him and
chained him. All right, if you'll give me
your help, whatever you tell me to do, I will do very good and I
will ask you also to do it blindly, without always asking
the reason just as you, like, if you'll do this, I think the
chances are that our little problem will soon be solved.
I have no doubt. He stopped suddenly and stared
fixedly up over my head into the air, the lamp beat upon his
face. And so intent was it and so
still that it might have been that of a clear-cut classical
statue, a personification of alertness and expectation, what
is it? We both cried.
I could see as he looked down but he was repressing some
internal emotion. His features were still composed
but his eyes Shone with amused exultation.
Excuse the admiration of a connoisseur.
Said he as he waved his hand, towards the line of portraits
which covered the opposite wall. Watson won't allow that.
I know anything of art, but that is mere jealousy.
Because our views upon the subject differ.
Now, these are a really, very fine, series of portraits.
Well, I'm glad to hear you say so.
Said, Sir, Henry glancing with some surprise.
At my friend, I don't pretend to know much about these things and
I'd be a better judge of a horse or a steer than of a picture.
I didn't know that you found time for such things.
I know what is good when I see. See it, and I see it now, that's
a Nella. I'll swear that lady in the blue
silk Over Yonder and the Stout gentleman with the wig ought to
be a Reynolds. They're all family portraits, I
presume everyone. Do you know the names Barrymore
has been coaching me in them? And I think I can say my lessons
fairly well. Who is the gentleman with the
telescope that is rear Admiral Baskerville who served under
Rodney in the West Indies. The man with the blue coat and
the roll of paper is so William Baskerville, who is the chairman
of Committees of the House of Commons under pit.
And this Cavalier opposite to me the one with the black velvet
and the lace. Ah, you have a right to know
about him, that is the cause of all the Mischief.
The wicked Hugo who started the And of the Baskervilles.
We're not likely to forget him, I gazed with interest and some
surprised upon the portrait. Dear me said, Holmes.
He seems a quiet Meek mannered, man, enough.
But I dare say that there was a lurking devil in his eyes.
I had pictured him as more robust and ruffianly person.
There's no doubt about the authenticity, for the name and
the date 1647 are on the back of the canvas.
Holmes said, little more, but the picture of the Old Roy
stirrer seem to have a Fascination for him and his eyes
were continually fixed upon it during supper.
It was not until later when Sir Henry had gone to his room.
But I was able to follow the trend of his thoughts.
He led me back into the banqueting-hall, his bedroom
candle in his hand and he held it up against the time stained
portrait on the wall. Do you see anything there?
I looked at the broad plumed hat.
The curling lovelock's, the white lace collar, and the
straight severe face, which was framed between them.
It was not a brutal countenance, but it was Prim hard and Stern
with a firm set. Thin-lipped, mouth and a coldly
intolerant. I Is it like anyone?
You know there is something of Sir.
Henry about the jaw, just a suggestion perhaps, but wait, an
instant, he stood upon a chair and holding up the light.
In his left hand, he curved his right arm over the broad hat and
round the long ringlets. Good Heavens.
I cried in amazement, the face of Stapleton, had sprung out of
the canvas, ha you see it? Now my eyes have been trained to
examine faces and not their trimmings.
It is the first quality of a criminal investigator that he
should see through a disguise, but this is a marvelous, it
might be his portrait. Yes, it is an interesting
instance of a throwback, which appears to be both physical.
And spiritual study of family. Portraits is enough to convert a
man to the doctrine of reincarnation.
The fellow is a Baskerville that is evident with designs upon the
succession. Exactly.
This chance of the picture has supplied us with one of our most
obvious missing links, we have him Watson, we have him and I
dare swear that before tomorrow night.
He will be fluttering in our net as helpless as one of his own
butterflies. Up in a cork and a card.
And we add him to the Baker Street collection.
He burst into one of his rare fits of laughter.
As he turned away from the picture.
I've not heard him laugh often, and it is always boded ill to
somebody. I was up betimes in the morning
but Holmes was a foot earlier still for I saw him as I dressed
coming up the drive. Yes, we should have a full day
today, he remarked, and he rubbed his hands with the joy of
action. The Nets are all in place and
the drag is about to begin, we'll know before the day is out
whether we have caught our Big Lean, George Pike or whether he
has got through the meshes have you been on the more already?
I have sent a report from grimpen to Princetown as to the
death of Selden. I think I can promise that none
of you will be trouble in the matter.
And I have also communicated It with my faithful Cartwright, who
would certainly have pined away at the door of my Hut as a dog
does at his master's grave. If I had not set his mind at
rest about my safety. What is the next move to see Sir
Henry ah here he is. Good morning Holmes said the
baronet. You look like a general who's
planning a battle with his chief of the staff.
That is the exact situation. Watson was asking for orders.
And so do I very good you are engaged as I understand to dine
with our friends the stapleton's tonight.
I hope that you'll come also. They're very hospitable people
but I'm sure that they would be very glad to see you.
I fear that Watson and I must go to London to London.
Yes I think that we should be more useful there at the present
juncture the baronet's face perceptibly lengthened.
I hope that you are going to see me through this business, the
whole in the more and not very pleasant places.
When one is alone, my dear fellow you must trust me
implicitly and do exactly what I tell you.
You can tell your friends that we should have been happy to
come with you but that urgent business required us to be in
town. We hope very soon to return to
Devonshire, will you remember to give them that message?
If you insist upon it? There is no alternative I assure
you. I saw by the baronet's clouded
brow that he was deeply hurt by what he regarded as our
desertion. When do you desire to go?
He asked coldly immediately after breakfast, we will drive
into coombe Tracey but Watson will leave his things as a
pledge that he will come back to you Watson.
You will send a note to Stapleton to tell him that you
regret that you cannot come. I have a good mind to go to
London with, you said, the baronet, why should I stay here
alone? Because it is your post of Duty.
Because you gave me your word that you would do as you were
told. And I tell you to stay, all
right, then I'll stay one more Direction.
I Wish you to drive to marry pit house, send back your trap
however and let them know that you intend to walk home to walk
across the Moor. Yes but that is the very thing
which you have so often cautioned me not to do This
time, you may do it with safety. If I had not every confidence in
your nerve and courage, I would not suggest it, but it is
essential that you should do it. Then I will do it.
And as you value your life, do not go across the Moor in any
direction, save along the straight path, which leads from
Mary pit house to the grimpen road and is your natural way
home. I will do just what you say.
Very good. I should be glad to get away as
soon after breakfast as possible.
So as to reach London, in the afternoon, I was much astounded
by this program. Do I remembered that Holmes had
said to Stapleton on the night before that his visit would
terminate next day. It had not crossed my mind,
however, that he would wish me to go with him nor could I
understand how he could both be absent at a moment, which he
himself declared to be critical. It was nothing for it, however,
but implicit obedience, so we bade goodbye to our rueful
friend and a couple of hours afterwards we were at the
station of coombe Tracey and had dispatched, a trap upon its
return Journey. A small boy was waiting upon the
platform. And he orders sir, you will take
this train to town Cartwright. The moment you arrive, you'll
send a wire to Sir, Henry Baskerville.
In my name to say that if he finds the pocketbook which I
have dropped, he is to send it by registered post to Baker
Street. Yes, sir and ask at the station
office if there is a message for me.
The boy returned with a telegram, which Holmes handed to
me. It's ran why I received coming
down with unsigned. Warrant arrived, 540 lestrade,
That is an answer to mine of this morning.
He is the best of the professionals I think and we may
need his assistance now Watson. I think that we can't employ our
time better than by calling upon your acquaintance.
Mrs. Laura Lyons. His plan of campaign was
beginning to be evident. He would use the baronet in
order to convince the stapleton's that we were really
gone. While we should actually return
at the instant when we were likely to be needed that
telegram from London. If mentioned by Sir Henry to the
stapleton's, must remove the last suspicions from their minds
already. I seemed to see our Nets drawing
closer around that lien, George Pike, mrs.
Laura Lyons was in her office. Isis and Sherlock Holmes opened
his interview with a frankness and directness, which
considerably amazed her. I am investigating the
circumstances which attended the death of the late Sir Charles
Baskerville said he my friend here dr.
Watson has informed me of what you've communicated and also of
what you have withheld in connection with that matter.
What have I withheld? She asked if I don't lie.
You have confessed that you asked Sir, Charles to be at the
gate at 10:00. We know that that was the place
and hour of his death, you have withheld, what the connection is
between these events. There is no connection in that
case. The Coincidence must indeed be
an extraordinary one, but I think that we shall succeed in
establishing a connection. After all, I wish to be
perfectly Frank with you mrs. Lyons we regard this case as one
of murder and the evidence May implicate not only your friend,
mr. Stapleton but his wife as well.
The lady sprang from her chair, his wife, she cried.
The fact is no longer a secret. The person who has passed for
his sister is really his wife, mrs.
Lyons had resumed her seat, her hands were grasping the arms of
her chair, and I saw that the pink nails had turned white with
the pressure of her grip, his wife.
She said again, his wife, he is not a married man, Sherlock.
Shrugged his shoulders. Prove it to me, prove it to me
and if you can do. So the fierce flash of her eyes
said, more than any words I have come prepared to do so said
Holmes drawing several papers from his pocket, here is a
photograph of the couple taken in York for years ago.
It is endorsed mr. And mrs.
Vandeleur. But you will have no difficulty
in recognizing him and her also, if you know her by sight, here
are three And descriptions by trustworthy Witnesses of mr.
And mrs. Vandeleur who at that time, kept
since Oliver's private school, read them and see if you can
doubt the identity of these people.
She glanced at them and then looked up at us with the set
rigid face of a desperate woman. Mr. Holmes.
She said this man had offered me marriage on condition that I
could get a divorce from my husband.
He has lied to me, the villain in every conceivable way, not
one word of Truth. Has he ever told me?
And why, why? I imagine that all was for my
own sake. But now I see that I was never
anything but a tool in his hands.
Why should I preserve face with him?
Who never kept any with me? Why should I try to Shield him
from the consequences of his own Wicked acts asked me what you
like and there is nothing which I shall hold back.
One thing I swear to you and that is that when I wrote the
letter I never dreamed of any harm to the Old Gentleman who
had been my kindest friend. I entirely believe you madam
said, Sherlock Holmes. The recital of these events must
be very painful to you and perhaps it will make it easier.
If I tell you what occurred, and you can check me if I make any
material mistake. The sending of this letter was
suggested to you by Stapleton, he dictated it, I presume that.
The reason he gave was that you would receive help from Sir,
Charles for the legal expenses connected with your divorce,
exactly. And then after you had sent the
letter, he dissuaded you from keeping the appointment.
He told me that it would hurt his self-respect that any other
man should find the money for such an object.
And that though he was a poor man himself, he would devote his
last penny to removing the obstacles which divided us He
appears to be a very consistent character and then you heard
nothing until you read the reports of the death in the
paper. No.
And he made you swear to say nothing about your appointment
with Sir Charles he did. He said that the death was a
very mysterious one and that I should certainly be suspected.
If the facts came out, he frightened me into remaining
silent. Quite so but you had your
suspicions. She hesitated and looked down.
I knew him. She said, but if he had kept
Faith with me, I should always have done.
So with him. I think that on the whole you
have had a fortunate Escape said, Sherlock Holmes, You have
had him in your power and he knew it and yet you are alive.
You have been walking for some months very near to the edge of
a precipice. We must wish you good morning
now mrs. Lyons and it is probable that
you will very shortly hear from us again.
I'll case becomes rounded off and difficulty after difficulty,
sins away in front of us, said Holmes, as we stood waiting for
the arrival of the express from town, I shall soon be in the
position of being able to put into a single connected
narrative, one of the most singular and Sensational crimes
of modern times students of criminology will remember the
analogous incidents in God. No, in little Russia in the year
66 and of course there are The Anderson murders in North
Carolina but this case possesses some features, which are
entirely its own. Even now we have no clear case
against this very Wily man, but I shall be very much surprised.
If it is not clear enough before we go to bed this night, The
London Express came roaring to the station and a small wiry
Bulldog of a man had sprung from a first-class Carriage.
We all three shook hands. And I saw at once from the
reverential way, in which lestrade gazed at my companion,
that he had learned a good deal. Since the days when they had
first worked together, I could. Well remember the scorned which
the theories of the reason I used then to excite in the
Practical man. Anything good.
He asked the biggest thing for years.
Said Holmes, we have two hours before we need, think of
starting. I think we might employ it in
getting some dinner. And then lestrade, we will take
the London, Fog out of your throat.
My giving you a breath of the pure night are of Dartmoor,
never been there. Oh well, I don't suppose you
will forget your first visit End of chapter 13.
End of chapter 13.