Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 77 The Hound of the Baskervilles 16
"Yes, let's go together!"

"Unfortunately, Watson must go to London with me."

"why?"

"I think we would be of more use at this time in London than here."

The quasi-baron said with a dejected look: "I hope you can accompany me through this difficult time."

"My dear friend, you must trust us. Do exactly what we ask of you, and you may tell Mr. Staple Valley that I should have been glad to go with you to his house, but because of a We must go back to town in a very urgent matter, and we shall be back in Devon as soon as we can. Will you take this message to Staple Valley?"

"If you must go back."

"Yes." I said with certainty.

He asked coldly, "When are you leaving?"

"We'll be leaving right after breakfast, and we've got some business to go to Combe Tracy first. Watson will leave his things here, and we'll be back to you in a moment. Watson, write at once. Write a letter to Staple Valley, explaining why you cannot come to his house for the appointment, and expressing your apologies."

"I will go to London with you, too," said the baronet. "Why should I stay here alone?"

"Because this is your responsibility, you have promised me, so I let you stay in your home."

"Okay then, I'll stay in this ghost place."

"One more request to you, that you go to the Melissa Mansion in a carriage, and then you send your carriage back towards Staple Valley, so that they all understand that you plan to walk back after your appointment. "

"Across the swamp?"

"Well, that's exactly what I want you to do tonight."

"But didn't you tell me not to do such a thing anyway?"

"You need to do this this time, I can guarantee your safety. You have to do as I ask!"

"Ok."

"If you value your life, when you cross the moor, take the straight road from Meliser's house to Green Basin, and never take other roads, which are the only way you must go back to the manor the road."

"I will absolutely do exactly what you asked me to do."

"Very well. I wish to start early after breakfast, so as to be in London in the afternoon."

We bid farewell to the sullen baronet.In two hours we were at Combe Tracey Station, where a little boy was waiting for us on the platform.

"Sir, do you have any orders?"

"Cartley, you take this train into town, and as soon as you arrive, send a telegram to Sir Henry Baskerville in my name, telling him that I have left my notebook at his house, and asking him to send it by registered mail. Post it to Baker Street and ask him to post it as soon as possible!"

"Okay, sir, I'll do it right away."

"Now go to the post office at the station and ask if there is any letter from me."

The boy returned with a telegram, which Holmes handed to me after reading it.It read: "When the telegram is received, come with a blank arrest ticket. Arrive at [-]:[-]. Remy Red."

"Here is the answer to my telegram of the morning. He is one of the most able of the private detectives, and we need his assistance this time. Watson, we are now calling on Mrs. Laura Lyons."

Mrs. Laura Lyons is in her office.

"I am inquiring into the circumstances connected with the sudden death of the late Sir Charles Baskerville," said Holmes directly. "My friend Dr. Watson has reported to me what you have said. Tell me that you have something to hide about this."

She got angry: "What am I hiding?"

"You have admitted that you asked Sir Childs to meet you at the door at ten o'clock. That was the time and place of his death. You have not connected the two events."

"What is the connection between these events?"

"We will find out the connection. Mrs. Lyons, this is a murder case. According to the evidence available, your friend Staple Valley and his wife are connected with this case."

The lady was stunned. "What did you say? His wife?" she cried.

"The lady he called his sister was his wife."

Mrs. Lyons clutched the arms of her chair with both hands.I saw her pink nails turn white.

She said it again: "His wife? His wife, he's not a bachelor!"

Holmes was noncommittal. "Show me the proof, show me the proof! If you can say that..." she cried angrily.Holmes drew some papers from his pocket and said, "This is a photograph of the couple taken in Yorkshire four years ago. On the back is written 'Mr. and Mrs. Vandale'. If you have seen his wife, you can They were easily identified from the photographs. Here are three documents from reliable witnesses concerning Mr. and Mrs. Vandale, who at the time ran a private St. Oliver's Primary School. Read Read it, and see if you have any doubts about it."

She looked at the picture of them together and the document, then looked up at us with a look of utter desperation on her face.

She said: "Mr. Holmes, this man lied to me. He said that as long as I can divorce my husband, he will marry me. Now I finally understand that I am just a tool in his hands. In this case Why should I be loyal to him? Why should I shield him from the consequences of his crimes? Ask any questions! I will no longer hide for him. But I can swear to God, I never meant to hurt that old gentleman, he's my best friend."

Holmes said to her: "I have every confidence in you, madam, that these recollections must have been painful for you. In that case, let me first explain the whole story, and then you will examine it and see if there is any discrepancy." If so, then please point them out. Was that letter from Staple Valley?"

"He dictated it, and I wrote it."

"I think the reason he proposed for you to write to Sir Childs is that you can get Sir Charles' financial help for you, as payment for your divorce from your husband?"

"Exactly."

"And he won't let you go to the appointment?"

"Yes, he told me that it would hurt his self-respect to ask such a noble gentleman to pay for such a purpose, and that, though he was not rich, he would spend his last pennies instead of asking others for help. .He said that in this way, the barrier between us and our separation can be removed.”

"In addition to the report of the death case from the newspaper, have you heard any other reports about this matter?"

"No."

"And he made you swear never to tell the story."

"Yes. He said that the old Sir died suddenly. If others found out that I corresponded with Childs, I would also be a suspect. In this way, I would not dare to tell Dr. Watson the truth."

"Do you doubt him?"

She lowered her head, "I know what he is like, but if he can treat me sincerely, I will always remain loyal to him."

Sherlock Holmes said to her: "I think you should be glad that you escaped from his clutches. You have a lot of evidence of him, and it is strange that you are safe and sound. For several months, you have been wandering on the edge of life and death. Now we have to Farewell to you, Mrs. Lyons, and you will hear from us soon."

The express train from London pulled into the station, and a short, stocky man alighted.The three of us greeted each other and introduced ourselves.I could see right away that Raymond had learned a lot of value from my partner since they worked together on the case.

"Anything good?" he asked.

"Arguably the most important event of all these years," replied Holmes. "We still have two hours before we start, and we can use this time to have our supper. I think you will be impressed by this first visit." Impressive."

(End of this chapter)