Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 73 The Hound of the Baskervilles 12
Now I no longer use the method of citing reports, but rely on my memory, with the help of my diary at that time.The diary reminds me of the scene at that time.I shall begin with the morning of our pursuit of fugitives and our adventures.

October [-]th was a cloudy and rainy day.The house was surrounded by thick fog.The water gurgles on the slopes, and the wet surfaces of the rocks are illuminated by the sky.In a gloomy atmosphere from the inside out, the panic last night had a very bad effect on Jazz.I feel a danger approaching.

This long succession of unexpected events speaks of a sinister activity going on all around us.The death of the old owner of this manor is in line with the family legend, as well as the monsters that appeared in the swamp repeatedly emphasized by the farmers.Twice I heard a hound howling in the distance.It is really impossible for a magic dog to leave paw prints and howl soaring.But as it happened, I heard the dog bark twice.Oh, and the man found in London is always true! The man in the carriage, and the letter warning Sir Henry not to come to the moor.This is always true.This man may be a friend or an enemy, so where is he?

A few things I'm sure of: I've never seen him, so someone must be following us.If I can catch him, everything will be cleared up.In order to achieve this goal, I will go all out now.

I don't want to add to the Jazz's anxiety.I'm going it alone.

After breakfast this morning, Barrymore and Sir had a private conversation in the study.After a while Sir called me in.

"Barrymore thought it inappropriate for us to pursue his brother-in-law after he had willingly told us the secret," he said.

"My lord," said the steward, "my brother-in-law is miserable enough."

"But in fact, you have no choice but to speak out."

"I really didn't expect you to take advantage of that."

"No one will feel safe unless Serdan is sent to prison again."

"My lord, for God's sake, let him escape."

"What do you think, Watson?"

"It would be all right if he escaped."

"But will he kill someone before he flees?"

"My lord, I promise he won't."

"Barrymore, let's do it."

"God bless you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

"I don't think we're doing anything wrong, Watson? But after hearing what he said, I can't bear it anymore."

The man turned away, but he hesitated and turned again.

"You have been very kind to me, my lord, and I will do all I can to repay you. I know one thing, Sir Henry. It is something connected with the mysterious death of Sir Childs."

Both of us were shocked. "Did you know about his mysterious death?"

"do not know."

"So, what do you know?"

"I know he's standing by that door in order to date a woman."

"Dating a woman?"

"Yes."

"What's her name?"

"All I know is that her name begins with LL."

"How do you know, Barrymore?"

"Your uncle had a letter from Combe Tracy that morning. It was from a woman."

"Um?"

"Ah, my lord, some weeks ago, when my wife was tidying up Sir Childs' study, I found the burnt letter. Most of the letter was charred, except for a small line at the end. It read:' Please burn this letter anyway, and go to the gate at ten o'clock.' Signed with the initials LL."

"Where's the note?"

"When we moved, it turned to ashes."

"Did Sir Childs ever get the same letter?"

"I don't know."

"Do you know who LL is?"

"do not know."

"Why didn't you say such an important clue earlier?"

"Oh, my lord, this matter has something to do with a woman, and it may not do our old master any good if it is made public."

"Do you think his reputation will be hurt?"

"Well, Monseigneur, it's always not very good. But I'd be very sorry if I didn't tell you about these things."

The butler left, and Sir Henry asked me, "What do you think?"

"It's difficult."

"I think so too. Where do you think we should start looking for LL?"

"Tell Holmes at once that he needs this clue."

I wrote to Holmes at once a report of the conversation I had this morning.His reply was short and small, noncommittal about my clues, and did not mention my mission.

On October [-]th, it rained heavily, and I thought of the fugitive in a desolate, cold place with no shelter.He's had a hard time.In the evening I took a walk on the marshy moor.I finally found the black ledge, and it was on this ledge that I saw the Watcher.

As I was walking back, Dr. Mortimer came up in his four-wheeler.I took his carriage.I knew he was very troubled by the loss of the dog, and I said a few words of comfort to him.

"Mortimer," I said, "do you know everyone here?"

"Yes."

"You know a woman whose name starts with LL?"

He thought about it.

"Laura Lyons begins LL—but she lives in Combe Tracy."

"Who is she?" I asked.

"Frankland's daughter."

"Old nervous Frankland?"

"Exactly, she married a painter named Lyons who came to the moor to sketch. But he deserted her. Her father didn't worry about her in any way, because he didn't approve of the marriage. The discord between Frankland and her daughter has put the woman in an embarrassing situation."

"Then how does she live?"

"Everyone tried to help her and normalize her life. Staple Valley and Childs helped, and I gave a little money, and she chose typing."

To-morrow morning I shall go to Combe Tracey and see Mrs. Laura Lyons, so that this puzzling case may be clarified.

Mortimer played cards with the baronet after supper.The butler came to deliver the coffee and I asked him a few questions.

"Is your good brother-in-law gone?"

"Sir, I think he's gone. I haven't heard anything about him since I last sent him food three days ago."

"Did you see him that time?"

"No, but when I went there again, the food was gone."

"Then he must still be there."

"If it wasn't taken by someone else, he must be there."

I stared at him and asked, "Are you sure there is another person?"

"Indeed. Sir."

"Did you see him?"

"No."

"Then how do you know?"

"It was my brother-in-law who told me about it. It's really troublesome." He said suddenly and sincerely.

"Barrymore! I have come here to help your master. Tell me, Barrymore, what is it that bothers you so much?"

He hesitated for a moment. "I'm sure there is a terrible conspiracy in the moor, and an assassination is going on!"

"But what frightens you so much? Tell me."

"Look at Sir Childs' face! Listen to the noise in the swamp, and the man hiding there. All of this bodes ill for the Baskervilles."

I said, "Did Seldan say anything? Did he find the stranger's hiding place or find anything?"

"Seldan saw him once or twice, and Seldan couldn't see or think what that man was up to."

"And did Seldan say where the man lived?"

"In an old little stone house on a hillside."

"But how does that man sustain himself?"

"A child is in charge of bringing him what he needs."

(End of this chapter)