Sherlock Holmes: Hounds of the Baskervilles (In English and Chinese) – 3 The Problem Mystery

<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right"> The Problem</h1>

< h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > suspicious case</h1>

I confess at these words a shudder passed through me. There was a thrill in the doctor's voice which showed that he was himself deeply moved by that which he told us. Holmes leaned forward in his excitement and his eyes had the hard, dry glitter which shot from them when he was keenly interested.

Frankly speaking, when I heard these words, my whole body trembled, and the tone of the doctor's voice trembled, which showed that even he was deeply touched by the thing he said to us. Holmes leaned forward in amazement, his eyes revealing the glowing gaze of concentration that was characteristic of him when he was extremely interested in something.

"You saw this?"

"Did you really see it?"

"As clearly as I see you."

"It's as clear as I see you now."

"And you said nothing?"

"Didn't you say anything?"

"What was the use?"

"What's the use of saying that?"

"How was it that no one else saw it?"

"Why don't others see it?"

"The marks were some twenty yards from the body and no one gave them a thought. I don't suppose I should have done so had I not known this legend."

The paw prints were about twenty yards from the corpse, and no one noticed. I don't think I would have discovered it if I hadn't known about it. ”

"There are many sheep-dogs on the moor?"

"Are there a lot of sheepdogs in the moor?"

"No doubt, but this was no sheep-dog."

"Of course there are many, but this is not a sheepdog."

"You say it was large?"

"Do you say it's big?"

"Enormous. "

"It's huge."

"But it had not approached the body?"

"Didn't it get close to the corpse?"

"No."

"Nothing."

"What sort of night was it?'

"What kind of night was it?"

"Damp and raw."

"It's wet and cold."

"But not actually raining?"

"It didn't rain, did it?"

"What is the alley like?"

"What does the passage look like?"

"There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve feet high and impenetrable. The walk in the centre is about eight feet across."

"There are two rows of old hedges of water pines, twelve feet high, densely planted, through which no one can pass, and an eight-foot-wide path in the middle."

"Is there anything between the hedges and the walk?"

"Is there anything else between the hedges and the path?"

"Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet broad on either side."

"Yes, there is a meadow about six feet wide on each side of the path."

"I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?"

"I suppose one of the hedges was cut off by a gate?"

"Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the moor."

"Yes, it's the gate that opens against the moor."

"Is there any other opening?"

"Are there any other openings?"

"None."

"No more."

"So that to reach the yew alley one either has to come down it from the house or else to enter it by the moor-gate?"

"So, if you want to come to the water pine road, you can only enter through the mansion or through the gate that opens to the moor?"

"There is an exit through a summer-house at the far end."

"There's also an exit through the gazebo at the other end."

"Had Sir Charles reached this?"

"Did Sir Charles go there?"

"No; he lay about fifty yards from it."

"No, he's lying down about fifty yards from there."

"Now, tell me, Dr. Mortimer -- and this is important -- the marks which you saw were on the path and not on the grass?"

"Now, Dr. Mortimer, please tell me—and this is an important point—that the footprints you see are on the path and not on the grass, right?"

"No marks could show on the grass."

"There's no trace of it on the grass."

"Were they on the same side of the path as the moor-gate?"

"Is it on the side of the path near the gate that leads to the moor?"

"Yes; they were on the edge of the path on the same side as the moor-gate."

"Yes, it's on the side of the road on the other side of the gate."

"You interest me exceedingly. Another point. Was the wicketgate closed?"

"Your words have intrigued me. Another point, is the gate closed? ”

"Closed and padlocked."

"It's closed, and it's still locked."

"How high was it?"

"How high is the door?"

"About four feet high."

"Four feet or so."

"Then anyone could have got over it?"

"So anyone can climb over?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"And what marks did you see by the wicket-gate?"

"Did you see any traces on the gate?"

"None in particular."

"There's nothing special about it."

"Good heaven! Did no one examine?"

"Weird! Has no one checked it? ”

"Yes, I examined, myself."

"I checked it, I checked it myself."

"And found nothing?"

"Didn't you find anything?"

"It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evidently stood there for five or ten minutes."

"It's a fool's errand; apparently Sir Charles stood there for five to ten minutes."

"How do you know that?"

"How do you know?"

"Because the ash had twice dropped from his cigar."

"Because soot fell from his cigar twice."

"Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after our own heart. But the marks?"

"Wonderful, Watson, is a peer, thinking the same as us. But what about footprints? ”

"He had left his own marks all over that small patch of gravel. I could discern no others."

"There were his footprints everywhere on that little patch of gravel; I couldn't see anyone else's footprints."

Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his knee with an impatient gesture.

Sherlock Holmes tapped his knees with an impatient look.

"If I had only been there!" he cried. "It is evidently a case of extraordinary interest, and one which presented immense opportunities to the scientific expert. That gravel page upon which I might have read so much has been long ere this smudged by the rain and defaced by the clogs of curious peasants. Oh, Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer, to think that you should not have called me in! You have indeed much to answer for."

"How nice it would be if I were there!" He shouted, "Obviously this is an extremely interesting case, and it provides a wide range of good opportunities for criminologists to conduct research work." I could have seen many clues on the gravel ground; but now those traces had been wiped out by the rain and the wooden shoes of the peasants who loved to watch the bustle. yes! Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer, why didn't you tell me to go then! Seriously, you're responsible for this. ”

"I could not call you in, Mr. Holmes, without disclosing these facts to the world, and I have already given my reasons for not wishing to do so. Besides, besides --"

"Mr. Holmes, I cannot invite you without exposing these truths to the world, and I have already explained the reasons for my reluctance to do so. At the same time, at the same time—"

"Why do you hesitate?"

"Why don't you hesitate to say it?"

"There is a realm in which the most acute and most experienced of detectives is helpless."

"There are problems that even the most shrewd and experienced detectives can't do."

"You mean that the thing is supernatural?"

"Are you saying that this is a strange thing?"

"I did not positively say so."

"I'm not sure I said that."

"No, but you evidently think it."

"But, obviously that's what you think."

"Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have come to my ears several incidents which are hard to reconcile with the settled order of Nature."

"Mr. Holmes, since this tragedy, I have heard things that are difficult to conform to the laws of nature."

"For example?"

"For example?"

"I find that before the terrible event occurred several people had seen a creature upon the moor which corresponds with this Baskerville demon, and which could not possibly be any animal known to science. They all agreed that it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and one a moorland farmer, who all tell the same story of this dreadful apparition, exactly corresponding to the hell-hound of the legend. I assure you that there is a reign of terror in the district, and that it is a hardy man who will cross the moor at night."

"I know that before this terrible thing happened, there were people who had seen animals in the moor that were the same shape as the monster of the Baskervilles that was said to be, and by no means beasts known to the scientific community. They said in unison that it was a big fellow, glowing, as vicious as the devil. I had interrogated the men; one of them was a shrewd countryman, one was a horseshoe blacksmith, and the other was a farmer in the moor; they all told the same story about this terrible ghost, which corresponded perfectly to the legendary hideous hound. You can believe that the whole district is shrouded in fear, and those who dare to walk through the moor at night can really be considered bold people. ”

"And you, a trained man of science, believe it to be supernatural?"

"Would you, a scientifically literate person, believe that this is a strange thing?"

"I do not know what to believe."

"I don't know what to believe."

Holmes shrugged his shoulders.

Holmes shrugged.

"I have hitherto confined my investigations to this world," said he. "In a modest way I have combated evil, but to take on the Father of Evil himself would, perhaps, be too ambitious a task. Yet you must admit that the footmark is material."

"So far, the scope of my investigation has been limited to the mundane," he said, "and I have only fought a little bit of sin." But to reach the God of All Evils, it may not be within my reach. But in any case, you have to admit that the footprints are real. ”

"The original hound was material enough to tug a man's throat out, and yet he was diabolical as well."

"This strange hound is really enough to tear a man's throat, but it does look like a demon."

"I see that you have quite gone over to the supernaturalists. But now, Dr. Mortimer, tell me this. If you hold these views why have you come to consult me at all? You tell me in the same breath that it is useless to investigate Sir Charles's death, and that you desire me to do it."

"I can see that you are already very inclined to the supernatural. But, Dr. Mortimer, now please tell me why you come to me if you hold this view? You said to me in the same tone that it was useless to investigate sir Charles's death, and you wanted me to investigate. ”

"I did not say that I desired you to do it."

"I didn't say I wanted you to investigate."

"Then, how can I assist you?"

"So, how can I help you?"

"By advising me as to what I should do with Sir Henry Baskerville, who arrives at Waterloo Station" -- Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch -- "in exactly one hour and a quarter."

"I hope you tell me what to do with Sir Henry Baskerville, who is about to arrive at Waterloo Station?" Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch, "He will be there in an hour and a quarter of an hour." ”

"He being the heir?"

"Is he the heir?"

"Yes. On the death of Sir Charles we inquired for this young gentleman and found that he had been farming in Canada. From the accounts which have reached us he is an excellent fellow in every way. I speak now not as a medical man but as a trustee and executor of Sir Charles's will."

"Yes, after Sir Charles's death, we investigated the young gentleman and found out that he had been working as a farmer in Canada. From what we know, he was a very good man in every way. I speak not as a doctor, but as trustee and executor of Sir Charles' will. ”

"There is no other claimant, I presume?"

"I guess there are no other people who have applied for inheritance, right?"

"None. The only other kinsman whom we have been able to trace was Rodger Baskerville, the youngest of three brothers of whom poor Sir Charles was the elder. The second brother, who died young, is the father of this lad Henry. The third, Rodger, was the black sheep of the family. He came of the old masterful Baskerville strain and was the very image, they tell me, of the family picture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to hold him, fled to Central America, and died there in 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the Baskervilles. In one hour and five minutes I meet him at Waterloo Station. I have had a wire that he arrived at Southampton this morning. Now, Mr. Holmes, what would you advise me to do with him?"

"No more. Among his relatives, the only other person we can trace back to is Roger Baskerville. He was the youngest of the three brothers, Sir Charles was the eldest, and the second brother, who died at a young age, was henry the father of the child. The third brother, Roger, was a bad breed in the family, and he was really in the same line as the domineering old Baskerville; according to them, he looked exactly like the portrait of the old Hugh in the family. He became untenable in England and fled to the Middle Americas, where he died of yellow fever in 1876. Henry was the last surviving son of the Baskervilles. In an hour and five minutes, I was going to see him at Waterloo Station. I received a telegram saying that he had arrived in Southampton this morning. Mr. Holmes, what are you going to ask me to do with him now? ”

"Why should he not go to the home of his fathers?"

"Why not let him go to the home where his ancestors lived for generations?"

"It seems natural, does it not? And yet, consider that every Baskerville who goes there meets with an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles could have spoken with me before his death he would have warned me against bringing this, the last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth, to that deadly place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleak countryside depends upon his presence. All the good work which has been done by Sir Charles will crash to the ground if there is no tenant of the Hall. I fear lest I should be swayed too much by my own obvious interest in the matter, and that is why I bring the case before you and ask for your advice."

"It seems like it should be, doesn't it?" But considering that every member of the Baskerville family, as long as he goes there, he will suffer a terrible fate. I think that if Sir Charles had had time to speak to me before he died, he would have warned me not to bring the last of this ancient family and the heir of the great rich to this deadly place. However, it is undeniable that the prosperity and happiness of the entire poor and desolate countryside depend on his coming. If there had been no master in the manor, all the good deeds that Sir Charles had done would have vanished. Since I am personally obviously very concerned about this matter, I am afraid that my personal opinion has too much influence on this matter, so I have brought this case to you and asked for your opinion. ”

Holmes considered for a little time.

Holmes thought about it for a moment.

"Put into plain words, the matter is this," said he. "In your opinion there is a diabolical agency which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode for a Baskerville -- that is your opinion?"

"In short, here's the thing," he said, "your opinion is that there is a demonic force that has made the Dart Moor a place of uneasiness for the Baskerville family— is that your opinion?" ”

"At least I might go the length of saying that there is some evidence that this may be so."

"At least I can say that there are some indications that this may be the case."

"Exactly. But surely, if your supernatural theory be correct, it could work the young man evil in London as easily as in Devonshire. A devil with merely local powers like a parish vestry would be too inconceivable a thing."

"Yes. But to be sure, if your mythical statement is correct, then this young man will be as unlucky in London as he was in Devon. It is simply unimaginable that a devil could exercise authority only locally, like a parish chapel. ”

"You put the matter more flippantly, Mr. Holmes, than you would probably do if you were brought into personal contact with these things. Your advice, then, as I understand it, is that the young man will be as safe in Devonshire as in London. He comes in fifty minutes. What would you recommend?"

"Mr. Holmes, if you had been exposed to these things first-hand, perhaps you would not have come to such rash conclusions. From my understanding, your opinion is that this young man will be as safe in Devon as he is in London. He's coming in fifty minutes, what do you say? ”

"I recommend, sir, that you take a cab, call off your spaniel who is scratching at my front door, and proceed to Waterloo to meet Sir Henry Baskerville."

"Sir, I suggest that you get into a rental carriage and call away your long-eared hound, which is scratching my front door, and go to Waterloo to pick up Sir Henry Baskerville."

"And then?"

"And then what?"

"And then you will say nothing to him at all until I have made up my mind about the matter."

"Then, don't tell him anything until I make a decision on the matter."

"How long will it take you to make up your mind?"

"How long do you have to make a decision?"

"Twenty-four hours. At ten o'clock to-morrow, Dr. Mortimer, I will be much obliged to you if you will call upon me here, and it will be of help to me in my plans for the future if you will bring Sir Henry Baskerville with you."

"Twenty-four hours. I thank you so much if you can come here at ten o'clock tomorrow, Dr. Mortimer, and if you come with Sir Henry Baskerville, it will be of great help to me in making plans for the future. ”

"I will do so, Mr. Holmes." He scribbled the appointment on his shirt-cuff and hurried off in his strange, peering, absentminded fashion. Holmes stopped him at the head of the stair.

"I will do it, Mr. Holmes." He wrote the date in pencil on the cuff, and hurried away with his eerie, staring, absent-minded look. As he reached the top of the stairs, Holmes called him out again.

"Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer. You say that before Sir Charles Baskerville's death several people saw this apparition upon the moor?"

"One more question, Dr. Mortimer, do you say that before sir Charles Baskerville died, how many people saw this demon in the moor?"

"Three people did."

"Three people have seen it."

"Did any see it after?"

"Did anyone see it later?"

"I have not heard of any."

"I haven't heard of it yet."

"Thank you. Good-morning."

"Thank you, good morning."

Holmes returned to his seat with that quiet look of inward satisfaction which meant that he had a congenial task before him.

Holmes returned to his seat with a quiet, contented look, indicating that he had found a job that suited his taste.

"Going out, Watson?"

"Want to go out, Watson?"

"Unless I can help you."

"Yeah, but if it helps you, I won't go out."

"No, my dear fellow, it is at the hour of action that I turn to you for aid. But this is splendid, really unique from some points of view. When you pass Bradley's, would you ask him to send up a pound of the strongest shag tobacco? Thank you. It would be as well if you could make it convenient not to return before evening. Then I should be very glad to compare impressions as to this most interesting problem which has been submined to us this morning."

"No, my dear companion, I will turn to you only when it comes to taking action. It's wonderful, from some points of view, this thing is really special. When you pass by the Bradley store, would you please ask them to send a pound of thick board smoke? Thank you. If it is convenient for you, please do not come back before dusk, for I would love to compare during this time the impressions of this very interesting case that I have acquired in the morning. ”

I knew that seclusion and solitude were very necessary for my friend in those hours of intense mental concentration during which he weighed every particle of evidence, constructed alternative theories, balanced one against the other, and made up his mind as to which points were essential and which immaterial. I therefore spent the day at my club and did not return to Baker Street until evening. It was nearly nine o'clock when I found myself in the sitting-room once more.

I know that when the mind is highly concentrated, weighing the bits and pieces of evidence, making different assumptions, comparing them, and finally determining which points are important and which are not true, it is extremely necessary for my friend to be alone behind closed doors and think hard all day. So I spent all my time in the club and never went back to Baker Street before dusk. At nearly nine o'clock I was sitting in the lounge again.

My first impression as I opened the door was that a fire had broken out, for the room was so filled with smoke that the light of the lamp upon the table was blurred by it. As I entered, however, my fears were set at rest, for it was the acrid fumes of strong coarse tobacco which took me by the throat and set me coughing. Through the haze I had a vague vision of Holmes in his dressing-gown coiled up in an armchair with his black clay pipe between his lips. Several rolls of paper lay around him.

When I opened the door, the first thing I felt was as if it was on fire, because the house was full of smoke, and I couldn't even see the lights of the lamp. After walking in, I finally put my mind at ease, because the thick smoke of the thick board made my throat cough. Through the smoke, I vaguely saw Holmes's figure in pajamas curled up in an armchair with a black clay pipe in his mouth and rolls of paper around him.

"Caught cold, Watson?" said he.

"Got a cold, Watson?" He said.

"No, it's this poisonous atmosphere."

"No, it's all made of this toxic air."

"I suppose it is pretty thick, now that you mention it."

"Ah, you're right, I think the air is thick enough."

"Thick! It is intolerable."

"It's unbearable."

"Open the window, then! You have been at your club all day, I perceive."

"Then open the window!" I can see that you spend all day in the club, right? ”

"My dear Holmes!"

"My dear Holmes!"

"Am I right?"

"Am I right?"

"Certainly, but how?"

"Of course, but how—"

He laughed at my bewildered expression.

He sneered at my inexplicable look.

"There is a delightful freshness about you, Watson, which makes it a pleasure to exercise any small powers which I possess at your expense. A gentleman goes forth on a showery and miry day. He returns immaculate in the evening with the gloss still on his hat and his boots. He has been a fixture therefore all day. He is not a man with intimate friends. Where, then, could he have been? Is it not obvious?"

"Watson, because you have a relaxed and happy look, I would like to play a little trick to make you happy. A gentleman went out on a muddy rainy day; when he returned in the evening, his body was clean, his hat and shoes still shining, and he must have been sitting still all day. He was still a man who had no close friends, so where else would he go? Isn't that obvious? ”

"Well, it is rather obvious."

"Yes, quite obviously."

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. Where do you think that I have been?"

"There are obvious things in the world that no one can see. Where do you think I'm staying? ”

"A fixture also."

"Isn't it just staying here without moving?"

"On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire."

"On the contrary, I have been to Devon."

"In spirit?"

"The 'soul' is gone, right?"

"Exactly. My body has remained in this armchair and has, I regret to observe, consumed in my absence two large pots of coffee and an incredible amount of tobacco. After you left I sent down to Stamford's for the Ordnance map of this portion of the moor, and my spirit has hovered over it all day. I flatter myself that I could find my way about."

"Exactly, my flesh has always been sitting in this armchair. Unfortunately, I drank two large pots of coffee and smoked an unbelievable amount of tobacco while the 'soul' had flown away. After you left, I sent someone to the Stanford Police Station to get a map of the moorland, and my 'soul' walked around on this map for a day. I am confident that I know the roads of that area very well. ”

"A large-scale map, I presume?"

"I guess it's a very detailed map, right?"

"Very large." He unrolled one section and held it over his knee. "Here you have the particular district which concerns us. That is Baskerville Hall in the middle."

"Very detailed." He opened the map partially on his knees. "This is the area that has a special relationship with us. The middle place is the Baskerville Estate. ”

"With a wood round it?"

"Surrounded by woods?"

"Exactly. I fancy the yew alley, though not marked under that name, must stretch along this line, with the moor, as you perceive, upon the right of it. This small clump of buildings here is the hamlet of Grimpen, where our friend Dr. Mortimer has his headquarters. Within a radius of five miles there are, as you see, only a very few scattered dwellings. Here is Lafter Hall, which was mentioned in the narrative. There is a house indicated here which may be the residence of the naturalist -- Stapleton, if I remember right, was his name. Here are two moorland farmhouses, High Tor and Foulmire. Then fourteen miles away the great convict prison of Princetown. Between and around these scattered points extends the desolate, lifeless moor. This, then, is the stage upon which tragedy has been played, and upon which we may help to play it again."

"Yes. I suppose the water pine path, though not indicated here, must have stretched down along this line; and the moor, as you could tell, was on its right side. This small pile of houses is the village of Grimbon, where our friend Dr. Mortimer's house is located. Within a radius of five miles, you can see that there are only a few scattered houses. This is the Lyft Estate mentioned in the incident. There is a house marked here, probably the dwelling of the biologist; if I remember correctly, his last name is Stapleton. Here are two moorish farmhouses, Gautau and Flemmer. Fourteen miles away was the Great Prison of Prince Town. Between and around these scattered points stretches desert bleak moorlands. This is the stage where tragedies have been performed, and perhaps with our help, there will be some good plays on this stage. ”

"It must be a wild place."

"It must be a wilderness."

"Yes, the setting is a worthy one. If the devil did desire to have a hand in the affairs of men --"

"Ah, the nearby environment is so suitable, if the devil really wants to intervene in the affairs of the world..."

"Then you are yourself inclining to the supernatural explanation."

"So, you yourself are inclined to the myth of the gods."

"The devil's agents may be of flesh and blood, may they not? There are two questions waiting for us at the outset. The one is whether any crime has been committed at all; the second is, what is the crime and how was it committed? Of course, if Dr. Mortimer's surmise should be correct, and we are dealing with forces outside the ordinary laws of Nature, there is an end of our investigation. But we are bound to exhaust all other hypotheses before falling back upon this one. I think we'll shut that window again, if you don't mind. It is a singular thing, but I find that a concentrated atmosphere helps a concentration of thought. I have not pushed it to the length of getting into a box to think, but that is the logical outcome of my convictions. Have you turned the case over in your mind?"

"The agent of the devil may be flesh and blood, isn't it?" We are faced with two questions: first, whether the crime has been committed in fact; Of course, if Dr. Mortimer's doubts are correct, we will have to deal with forces beyond the laws of nature; then our investigation will come to an end. But we can only return to this path to explore after all the assumptions have been overturned. If you don't object, I think we'll have to close that window. Strangely enough, I always felt that the thick air could concentrate people's minds. Although I have not yet reached the point where I can only think without getting into the box, I believe that if I continue to develop, I will inevitably get that result. Have you thought about this case in your head? ”

"Yes, I have thought a good deal of it in the course of the day."

"Yes, I think a lot during the day."

"What do you make of it?"

"What do you think?"

"It is very bewildering."

"It's so confusing."

"It has certainly a character of its own. There are points of distinction about it. That change in the footprints, for example. What do you make of that?"

"This case does have its own uniqueness. It has several standout points. For example, what is your view of the change in footprints on this? ”

"Mortimer said that the man had walked on tiptoe down that portion of the alley."

"Mortimer said that the man walked on tiptoes in that section of the road."

"He only repeated what some fool had said at the inquest Why should a man walk on tiptoe down the alley?"

"He was merely repeating what a fool had said during the autopsy. Why would a person walk on tiptoe along the middle of the road? ”

"What then?"

"So, how do you explain it?"

"He was running, Watson -- running desperately, running for his life, running until he burst his heart-and fell dead upon his face."

"He's running, Watson —running desperately, he's running for his life, until his heart breaks and he dies on the ground."

"Running from what?"

"What did he run to escape?"

"There lies our problem. There are indications that the man was crazed with fear before ever he began to run."

"Our problem is here. All indications were that the man had gone mad with fright before he started running. ”

"How can you say that?"

"Why do you say that?"

"I am presuming that the cause of his fears came to him across the moor. If that were so, and it seems most probable only a man who had lost his wits would have run from the house instead of towards it. If the gipsy's evidence may be taken as true, he ran with cries for help in the direction where help was least likely to be. Then, again, whom was he waiting for that night, and why was he waiting for him in the yew alley rather than in his own house?"

"As far as I could imagine, the cause of his fear came from the moor. If this is the case, it seems most likely that only a frightened person would run in the opposite direction without going to the house. If the gypsy's testimony could be considered true, he was running and crying for help, and he was running in the direction in which he was least likely to be rescued. And then who was he waiting for that night? Why would he wait for someone in his own house? ”

"You think that he was waiting for someone?"

"Do you think he's waiting for someone?"

"The man was elderly and infirm. We can understand his taking an evening stroll, but the ground was damp and the night inclement. Is it natural that he should stand for five or ten minutes, as Dr. Mortimer, with more practical sense than I should have given him credit for, deduced from the cigar ash?"

"The man was old and frail, and we could understand that he would have scattered for walks in the evening; but the ground was damp and the night was so cold. Dr. Mortimer's wisdom is indeed worthy of my great admiration; is it only natural that he drew conclusions based on cigar ash that he stood for five or ten minutes? ”

"But he went out every evening."

"But he goes out every night!"

"I think it unlikely that he waited at the moor-gate every evening. On the contrary, the evidence is that he avoided the moor. That night he waited there. It was the night before he made his departure for London. The thing takes shape, Watson. It becomes coherent. Might I ask you to hand me my violin, and we will postpone all further thought upon this business until we have had the advantage of meeting Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry Baskerville in the morning."

"I don't think he waits every night in front of the door leading to the moor. On the contrary, there is evidence that he is hiding from the moor. He had waited there that night, and the night before he was leaving for London. Things have begun to take shape, Watson, and they have become consistent. Please bring me my violin, and consider this matter further tomorrow morning when we meet with Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry Baskerville. ”