Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 69 The Hound of the Baskervilles 8
"My God!" I exclaimed, "what's that?"

A long, low, miserable cry resounded throughout the moor, filling the space, but from where it came I could not tell.Staple Valley looked at me curiously.

"What a marsh!" he said.

"What's that sound?"

"People say it's the Hound of the Baskervilles looking for his game. I've heard it a few times before, but not so loudly."

I was very scared.

"You are an educated man, so you don't believe such nonsense?"

"Where do you think this sound comes from?"

"The swamp makes strange noises sometimes. The mud sinks or the groundwater rises, or something else, I think."

"No, no, that's the sound of animals."

"Oh, maybe. Have you ever heard a heron call?"

"No."

"It's a rare bird in England—nearly extinct—but it might still be there in the moor."

"It's the scariest, most bizarre sound I've ever heard in my life."

"Yes, it's just so mysterious and scary here. What are those circles over there on the hill?"

The entire hillside is a circle of gray stones, at least twenty piles.

"What is it, is it a sheepfold?"

"No, that's where our ancestors lived. Those are their huts without roofs. If you'd like to go inside, you can see their stoves and beds."

"It's the size of a town. When did people ever live there?"

"About Neolithic—no exact date."

"What did they do then?"

"They grazed sheep and dug tin mines. The ditches on the opposite mountain are the remains of their digging. Oh, I'm sorry, wait a minute, it must be the Cyclopedia moth."

A large insect flew slowly across the path, and suddenly Staple Valley swooped down swiftly.The animal flew all the way to the swamp.But my friend is holding a butterfly net, jumping up and down among the small trees.Looking at his unusually agile movements, I was both envious and scared.As I heard footsteps, I turned around and saw a woman on the side of the road not far from me. She was covered by a cloud of smoke, indicating that she was coming from the direction of Melissa, because she had been covered by the depression of the moor. Covered, so I didn't notice until she got very close.

I think this is Miss Stapledale, for there are very few ladies on the moor, and I remember being told she was a beauty.She was born with a noble face, with beautiful and regular features, coupled with sexy lips and eager eyes, she looked very enthusiastic.When I turned around, she was already looking at her brother.Then she came quickly towards me, and as I took off my hat and was about to speak, her words led my thoughts into a new path.

"Go back!" said she, "go at once, to London!"

"Why should I go back?" I asked.

"Forgive me for explaining." Her voice was low but earnest. "For God's sake, go back and never come to the moor again."

"But I just came!"

"You man!" she exclaimed anxiously, "don't you see that this warning is good for you? Go back to London! Start to-night! Get out of this place at all costs! Shhh, my brother is coming Don't tell him a word of what I said."

Staple Valley had given up on the bug and returned to us, panting and flushed.

"Aha, Belle!" he said.But I felt that the tone of his greeting was not cordial.

"Ah, Jack, are you hot?"

"Well, I was chasing a Cyclopedia moth just now, one of the rare species in late autumn. What a pity I didn't catch it!" he said, but the two little eyes It kept sweeping back and forth on the faces of me and the woman.

"I can see that you have already introduced yourself."

"Yes, I was telling Sir Henry that he was too late to see the best of the moor."

"Ah, who do you think this is?"

"I suppose it must be Sir Henry."

"No, no," said I; "I am Sir's friend, Doctor Watson."

"We actually started chatting over a misunderstanding," she said.

"Ah, it's okay, you didn't talk for long." Her brother's eyes were still full of doubts when he spoke.

"I don't treat Dr. Watson as a guest, but as a local. Come, please look at our house!"

It's just a short walk away.It was a lonely, lonely house on the moor, surrounded by orchards, but the trees were all stunted and stunted, like the trees in the moor.We were let in by a strange, skinny old manservant.It was spacious inside, and the interior was neatly and tastefully furnished.You can see the lady's hobbies.

I looked out of the window, and the winding and boundless swamp stretched continuously towards the distant horizon.What caused them to settle in such a place?

"An odd spot, isn't it?" he said, as if reading my thoughts, "but we had a good time, didn't we, Belle?"

"Yes." But it was reluctance in her tone.

"I once ran a school," said Staple Valley, "in the North, and that kind of work was very dull for a person of my nature. But it was possible to live with young people, to help them, to develop They, it all meant a lot to me. However, there was an epidemic at the school, and three boys died. After this blow, the school collapsed, and most of my money was lost. Because, I A great interest in zoology and botany, and here I found sources for my study. And my sister shared my deep love of nature. All this, Dr. Watson, as you observe the moor outside our window I have thought of it, I can see it from your expression."

"I did think that life here might be a little better for you."

"No, no, I'm never bored," she said hastily.

"We have books, and our research work. And, besides, we have an interesting neighbour, Dr. Mortimer, one of the most learned men in the medical profession! Sir Childs is also a dear companion. What do you think of me this afternoon? Shall I go and see Sir Henry?"

"I think he'll be very happy."

"Then it would be best if you could tell him that I am going to visit him. Dr. Watson, would you like to go upstairs and have a look at my insect specimens? After you have finished, lunch will be ready."

But I was eager to go back to my client.I declined all invitations to stay for lunch, and immediately set off on my way home, by the same route.

Before I reached the main road, I was startled to see Miss Staple Valley sitting on a stone by the side of the path.Her face was flushed from the strenuous exercise.

"I have come at once to stop you, Dr. Watson," she said; "I apologize to you for taking you for Sir Henry. Please forget what I said, which has nothing to do with your Nothing to do."

"But I will not forget, Miss Stapledale," said I, "that I am a friend of Sir Henry's, and I have a great interest in his welfare. Why are you so eager to have him back?"

"It's just a whim of mine, Dr. Watson. You'll understand when you get to know me better."

"No. I remember that trembling tone of your voice, and I remember the look in your eyes. Oh, please tell me frankly, Miss Staple Valley, I've been very puzzled since I got here. Tell me Well, what do you mean, I promise you will pass this warning to Sir."

A look of hesitation came over her face, but she immediately became resolute again.

"You think too much, Dr. Watson," she said. "My brother and I were greatly shocked by the news of Sir Childs' misfortune. We were very fond of the old man, and he was deeply The family's bad luck hangs over me. Now, when the family comes to live here again, I'm worried. So the warning is issued."

"But what do you mean by bad luck?"

"Do you know the story of the Hound?"

"I know, but I don't believe it."

"But I do. If you can still influence Sir Henry, please take him away from this dangerous place."

"He's here because of the danger. Unless you can tell me something more specific than that, I'm afraid he won't be able to leave here very easily."

"I can't say anything more specific."

"I'll ask you one more question, Miss Stapledale. If that's all you were going to say to me, why didn't you want your brother to hear you? There's nothing in it for him to object to."

"My brother wants Sir to settle down, because it will do some good to the poor people in this country. If he knows I say such a thing, he will be angry. I'm going back, and if he doesn't see me, he will be suspicious. Goodbye!" She turned and walked away, disappearing in a few minutes, and I returned to the manor with anxiety.

(End of this chapter)