Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 71 The Hound of the Baskervilles 10
My dear Holmes:

Now, events around us are becoming more and more complex.The last report ended with Barrymore standing at the window.Things have changed unimaginably.On the one hand, things have become clearer in the past two days, but on the other hand, they seem to have become more complicated.

Before breakfast the next day after my discovery of the oddity, I walked down the passage again to inspect the room where Barrymore had been the night before.In the west window where he looked out, I noticed the difference from the other windows in the house-this window was opened to the moor, and you could see the moor all the way.I could therefore judge that Barrymore must be looking for something or someone on the moor.I once thought that this might be some kind of love trick.This furtive behavior was linked to his wife's crying.

Whatever may be the explanation for Barrymore's behaviour, after breakfast I told the Baronet what I had seen.But he didn't show a surprised expression after hearing this.

"I have known for a long time that Barrymore often moves about at night," said he, "and I have heard him walking down the passage two or three times, at exactly the times you describe."

"Maybe he goes to that window every night," I said.

"Maybe. If that's the case, we can follow up and see what he's up to."

"I think Holmes will act as you suggest," said I.

"Then let's do it together!"

"But he'll catch us."

"We're going to take this chance anyway. We'll just sit in my room tonight and wait for him to walk by."

The Baronet and the architect who had drawn up the plans for Sir Childs had contacted builders from London, and decorators and upholsterers from Plymouth, so that the house would soon be greatly changed.Now that the house has been freshly painted, all that's missing is a hostess.I have seldom seen a man so infatuated with Miss Staple Valley as Sir is.But today the calm waters of the sea of ​​love have been disturbed, causing great trouble and distress to our friend.

After that Barrymore conversation, Sir Henry was ready to go, and of course I had to go too.

"Why, are you going too, Watson?" he asked.

"That depends on whether you go to the moor."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry I might get in your way, but you've heard how my friends tell me."

"My dear friend," said he, "for all that Holmes knew, he could not foresee what would happen to me when I came to the moor. I think you would rather not be a nuisance. I must be alone." go out."

This thing put me in a dilemma.While I was hesitating, he was gone.

After I considered the matter carefully, I was condemned by my conscience, so I rushed over immediately.

I did not see Sir Henry until the fork in the path.There I climbed a hill so as not to get lost, from which I could look down, and he was walking on the moor path, with Miss Stapledale beside him.Obviously there has been a tacit understanding between the two of them, and it's a date.They walked slowly side by side, talking in low tones.I saw her making hurried gestures with both hands, as if she was very responsible for her words.He listened carefully, shaking his head once or twice.I watched them from among the rocks, wondering what to do next.

Our friend and the lady stopped and stood talking earnestly.I suddenly found that a green thing was floating in the air, and after looking again, I realized that the green thing was mounted on the top of a bamboo pole.It turned out to be Staple Valley and his butterfly net.He was much closer to the couple than I was, and he seemed to be walking toward them.

At this moment Sir Henry suddenly drew Miss Staple Valley close to him, and put his arms around her.She tried to break free from his grasp, turning her face away.He looked down at her, but she raised a hand in protest.Later, I saw them parted with a jump, and turned around bewilderedly. It turned out that Staple Valley had interfered.He danced in front of the lovers.It seemed that he was scolding Sir, but Sir tried to explain, but Staple Valley not only refused to listen, but also became more furious.The lady stood quietly beside them, and at last Staple Valley turned away and beckoned imperiously to her sister, who, after a hesitant look at Sir Henry, walked away with her brother.The baronet stood for a while watching their backs, and then returned along the same road.

I ran down the hill, and met the baronet at the foot of the hill.His face was flushed and his brows were furrowed.

"My God! Watson, whence did you fall," said he, "are you really following me?"

I told him everything, and he stared at me angrily for a moment, but my confession softened his anger.He finally let out a disappointed laugh.

"I thought the center of the plains wouldn't be discovered," he said, "but my God! It's as if the whole town came out to see me propose. Where were you?"

"On that hill."

"So it was in the back row, ah! But his brother was in the front row. Did you see Staple Valley running towards us?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever see him go crazy?—her good brother."

"No."

"He is not at all mad, I dare say. Tell me frankly, Watson, what is in me that prevents me from being the husband of the woman I love?"

"In my opinion, no."

"What can he have against me? I've never offended him, but Staple Valley will hardly let me touch her sister's fingertips."

"Did he say that?"

"More than that. Watson, when I saw her for the first time, I felt that she was born for me. And she thought the same way-she felt very happy when she was with me. But he never let us stay together, until today I was able to talk to her alone for the first time. She was very happy to see me, but after meeting, she didn't say a word about love. She always told me , this is a dangerous place and she won't be happy unless I leave here. I told her that since the first day I saw her, I don't want to leave here. If she really wants me to go, The only way is for us both to go together. I proposed to her. But before she could answer, Staple Valley ran towards us like a madman. At that time, I said to him, I don't think I have anything to do with his sister. Feelings are a shame, and I hope she can be my wife. But his face didn't improve at all. So, I lost my temper later. You saw the end, she left with him. As for me, I was all confused I do. I should be very obliged, Watson, if you could tell me how it is."

Although I tried to give him one or two explanations at the time, to be honest, I was also confused.Another surprise visit from Staple Valley that afternoon, to apologize for his morning's rudeness, and a long conversation between the two in Sir Henry's study resulted in the rift being healed.

"I'm not saying he's not a madman now," said Sir Henry. "I can't forget the look in his eyes when he came running to me this morning. But I must admit there has never been a more satisfactory apology."

"Has he explained his behavior this morning?"

"He said his sister was everything to him, they lived together all the time, he was a lonely person, she was the only one by his side. So, when he thought about losing her, he was afraid. He said he didn't think I was He had fallen in love with her, but when he saw it was true, he was so overwhelmed with amazement that he regretted it all and realized that he wanted to bind his sister to him personally. How stupid and selfish he is. If she had to leave him, he would be willing to marry her to me. But anyway, this is a heavy blow to him, so it will take some time for him to get his spirits up He would have no objection if I promised to put the matter aside for three months and cultivate only friendship instead of love. I agreed, and the matter settled down. "

One of our lesser mysteries has finally been solved.Let us now turn to another mystery.That midnight cry and Mrs. Barrymore's secret, and her husband's going to the west lattice window.These things were cleared up in one night.

When I say "one night" I really mean two nights, because the first night we were blown away and heard nothing.It was a painful sleepover.Fortunately, we were not discouraged and decided to try again.On the second night, we turned down the lamp and sat there quietly smoking.The clock struck once, and struck twice.We were a little desperate and almost wanted to give up.At this moment, there were creaking footsteps in the corridor.

We heard the footsteps go by, until they disappeared in the distance.Then the Baronet pushed open the door and began the stalking.The man had turned into the corridor, and we walked gently to the wing on the other side, just in time to see his tall figure with black beard.With a hunched back, he walked on tiptoe through the aisle, and then walked into the door that he had visited that time.At last we went to the door and looked in, and saw him standing stooped at the window, with a candle in his hand, and his face pressed against the pane, just as I had seen him the night before.

We had no plan of action in advance, but the baronet thought that the most straightforward course was the most natural course.He went into the room.Barrymore jumped from the window in fright, and stood before us, pale and trembling.He looked from Sir Henry to me with terror.

"What are you doing here, Barrymore?"

"Nothing, my lord," he said in alarm. "My lord, I was just looking around to see if the window is fastened."

"On the second floor?"

"Yes, sir, all the windows."

(End of this chapter)