Sherlock Holmes: Baskerville Hounds ( In English ) – 5Three Broken Threads Three Broken Threads

<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right">Three Broken Threads</h1>

< h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > three broken clues</h1>

Sherlock Holmes had, in a very remarkable degree, the power of detaching his mind at will. For two hours the strange business in which we had been involved appeared to be forgotten, and he was entirely absorbed in the pictures of the modern Belgian masters. He would talk of nothing but art, of which he had the crudest ideas, from our leaving the gallery until we found ourselves at the Northumberland Hotel.

Sherlock Holmes had a high degree of willpower to control personal feelings. The strange things that haunt us seem to have been forgotten in these two hours, and he is engrossed in the paintings of the modern Belgian masters. From the time we left the art museum until we walked to the Northumbrand Hotel, he didn't talk about anything but art. In fact, his views on art are very superficial things.

"Sir Henry Baskerville is upstairs expecting you," said the clerk. "He asked me to show you up at once when you came."

"Sir Henry Baskerville is waiting for you upstairs." The receptionist said, "He asked me to bring you up as soon as you come." ”

"Have you any objection to my looking at your register?" said Holmes.

"I want to look at your passenger register, don't you object?" Holmes said.

"Not in the least."

"Not at all."

The book showed that two names had been added after that of Baskerville. One was Theophilus Johnson and family, of Newcastle; the other Mrs. Oldmore and maid, of High Lodge, Alton.

As can be seen from the register, two more groups of guests came after baskerville. One was Mrs. Omer and her maid from the town of Heloki, Otun, and the other was Mrs. Omer and the maid from the town of Heloki, Otun.

"Surely that must be the same Johnson whom I used to know," said Holmes to the porter. "A lawyer, is he not, grayheaded, and walks with a limp?"

"This must be the Johansson I know," said Holmes to the gatekeeper, "a lawyer, isn't it?" Her hair was gray and she walked a bit limpy. ”

"No, sir, this is Mr. Johnson, the coal-owner, a very active gentleman, not older than yourself."

"No, sir, this is The coal mine owner, Mr. Johansson, an active gentleman, no older than you."

"Surely you are mistaken about his trade?"

"You must have made his profession wrong, right?"

"No, sir! he has used this hotel for many years, and he is very well known to us."

"No, sir! He has been staying in our hostel for many years and we know him well. ”

"Ah, that settles it. Mrs. Oldmore, too; I seem to remember the name. Excuse my curiosity, but often in calling upon one friend one finds another."

"Ah, all right. And Mrs. Omo, I seem to remember the name, please forgive my curiosity, but when visiting one friend, I often meet another friend, which is also a common thing. ”

"She is an invalid lady, sir. Her husband was once mayor of Gloucester. She always comes to us when she is in town."

"She's a sick wife, sir. Her husband was mayor of Gloucester. She always came to stay with us when she came into town. ”

"Thank you; I am afraid I cannot claim her acquaintance. We have established a most important fact by these questions, Watson," he continued in a low voice as we went upstairs together. "We know now that the people who are so interested in our friend have not settled down in his own hotel. That means that while they are, as we have seen, very anxious to watch him, they are equally anxious that he should not see them. Now, this is a most suggestive fact."

"Thank you, I'm afraid I can't say she's an acquaintance of mine." The questions we have just asked illustrate an important fact, Watson," he continued to whisper as we went upstairs together, "that we now know that those who are extremely interested in our friend are not staying in the same hotel as him. That is to say, although they are as keen as we have seen him to be monitored, they are equally worried about being seen by him. Ah, this is a very telling fact. ”

"What does it suggest?"

"What does it say?"

"It suggests -- halloa, my dear fellow, what on earth is the matter?"

"It says—Oh my God, dear friend, what's wrong with that?"

As we came round the top of the stairs we had run up against Sir Henry Baskerville himself. His face was flushed with anger, and he held an old and dusty boot in one of his hands. So furious was he that he was hardly articulate, and when he did speak it was in a much broader and more Western dialect than any which we had heard from him in the morning.

As we approached the top of the stairs, sir Henry Baskerville approached us. He blushed with rage and carried an old tall leather shoe full of dust. He was so angry that he could not speak, and by the time he spoke, his voice would appear to be high-pitched compared to the morning, and his western accent would be much heavier.

"Seems to me they are playing me for a sucker in this hotel," he cried. "They'll find they've stafted in to monkey with the wrong man unless they are careful. By thunder, if that chap can't find my missing boot there will be trouble. I can take a joke with the best, Mr. Holmes, but they've got a bit over the mark this time."

"The people of their hotel seem to be looking at me as if they are being bullied," he shouted, "let them be careful, or they will know that they are joking about finding the wrong person." How could that be! If he can't find my lost shoes, he's going to have to get into trouble. I'm the least afraid of jokes, Mr. Holmes, but this time they're a little too much. ”

"Still looking for your boot?"

"Are you still looking for your shoes?"

"Yes, sir, and mean to find it."

"Yes, sir, you must find it."

"But, surely, you said that it was a new brown boot?"

"But you said you lost a new leather shoe with a brown barrel?"

"So it was, sir. And now it's an old black one."

"Yes, sir. But now I lost an old black leather shoe. ”

"What! you don't mean to say ?"

"What, you're afraid you're not saying..."

"That's just what I do mean to say. I only had three pairs in the world -- the new brown, the old black, and the patent leathers, which I am wearing. Last night they took one of my brown ones, and to-day they have sneaked one of the black. Well, have you got it? Speak out, man, and don't stand staring!"

"I'm just going to say that I have three pairs of shoes—the new brown, the old black, and the patent leather shoes I'm wearing now. Last night they took away one of my brown shoes, and today they stole one of my black ones – hey, did you find it? Say, hey, don't just stand and stare! ”

An agitated German waiter had appeared upon the scene.

Here came a panicked German waiter.

"No, sir; I have made inquiry all over the hotel, but I can hear no word of it."

"No, sir. I asked everywhere in the hotel, but I didn't hear anything. ”

"Well, either that boot comes back before sundown or I'll see the manager and tell him that I go right straight out of this hotel."

"Well, get my shoes back before sunset, or I'll have to go to the boss and tell him I'll leave the hotel right away."

"It shall be found, sir -- I promise you that if you will have a little patience it will be found."

"Surely you can find it, sir, as long as you can be a little patient, I promise you will find it."

"Mind it is, for it's the last thing of mine that I'll lose in this den of thieves. Well, well, Mr. Holmes, you'll excuse my troubling you about such a trifle --"

"I hope so, I can't throw anything in this den of thieves anymore—cough, Mr. Holmes, forgive me for bothering you with such a trivial matter..."

"I think it's well worth troubling about."

"I think it's a very noteworthy thing."

"Why, you look very serious over it."

"Ah, you take it too seriously."

"How do you explain it?"

"How do you explain this?"

"I just don't attempt to explain it. It seems the very maddest, queerest thing that ever happened to me."

"I didn't want to explain it at all. It seems that of all the things that have happened to me, this is the most infuriating and strange thing. ”

"The queerest perhaps --" said Holmes thoughtfully.

"Perhaps the strangest thing to do..." said Holmes meaningfully.

"What do you make of it yourself?"

"What do you think about this?"

"Well, I don't profess to understand it yet. This case of yours is very complex, Sir Henry. When taken in conjunction with your uncle's death I am not sure that of all the five hundred cases of capital importance which I have handled there is one which cuts so deep. But we hold several threads in our hands, and the odds are that one or other of them guides us to the truth. We may waste time in following the wrong one, but sooner or later we must come upon the right."

"Ah, I dare not say I already understand. Your case is complicated, Sir Henry. After linking this incident to your uncle's death, I dare not say whether of the five hundred important cases I have handled can be as tortuous and bizarre as this. But we already have several clues in our hands, and it is expected that one of them will lead us to the truth. We may also waste some time on the wrong path, but sooner or later we will always find the right clues. ”

We had a pleasant luncheon in which little was said of the business which had brought us together. It was in the private sitting-room to which we afterwards repaired that Holmes asked Baskerville what were his intentions.

We had a pleasant lunch, and there was very little talk between meals about the thing that pulled us together. After the meal, Holmes asked Baskerville in the sitting room what his intentions were.

"To go to Baskerville Hall."

"Go to the Baskerville Estate."

"And when?"

"When are you going?"

"At the end of the week."

"Weekend."

"On the whole," said Holmes, "I think that your decision is a wise one. I have ample evidence that you are being dogged in London, and amid the millions of this great city it is difficult to discover who these people are or what their object can be. If their intentions are evil they might do you a mischief, and we should be powerless to prevent it. You did not know, Dr. Moftimer, that you were followed this morning from my house?"

"Overall," said Holmes, "I think your decision was clever. I can attest entirely that you are already being watched in London, and in such a large city, among thousands of people, it is difficult to figure out who these people are or what their purpose is. If they harbor malice, they may cause you misfortune, and we are afraid that we will not be able to prevent it from happening. Dr. Mortimer, don't you know that you were being watched after you came out of my house this morning? ”

Dr. Mortimer started violently.

Dr. Mortimer was astonished.

"Followed! By whom?"

"Got watched! By whom? ”

"That, unfortunately, is what I cannot tell you. Have you among your neighbours or acquaintances on Daftmoor any man with a black, full beard?"

"Unfortunately, that's exactly what I can't say. In the Dart Moor, are there any people with long, dark beards among your neighbors and acquaintances? ”

"No -- or, let me see -- why, yes. Barrymore, Sir Charles's butler, is a man with a full, black beard."

"No—well, let me think about it—ah, yes, Sir Charles's steward, Barrymore, has a black beard."

"Ha! Where is Baffymore?"

"Ah! Where is Barrymore? ”

"He is in charge of the Hall."

"He manages that estate."

"We had best ascertain if he is really there, or if by any possibility he might be in London."

"We'd better confirm if he's actually staying there, maybe he's in London."

"How can you do that?"

"How can you confirm that?"

"Give me a telegraph form. ' Is all ready for Sir Henry?' That will do. Address to Mr. Barrymore, Baskerville Hall. What is the nearest telegraph-office? Grimpen. Very good, we will send a second wire to the postmaster, Grimpen: 'Telegram to Mr. Barrymore to be delivered into his own hand. If absent, please return wire to Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel.' That should let us know before evening whether Barrymore is at his post in Devonshire or not."

"Give me a telegram." Is everything ready for Sir Henry? That's it. Sent to the Baskerville Estate for Monsieur Barrymore. Where is the nearest telegraph office to the estate? Is it the Grimm Basin? Wonderfully, we sent another telegram to the postmaster general of Greenpool, and we wrote, 'Send a telegram from Mr. Barrymore to me.' In your absence, please call back to The Northumbrand Inn sir Henry Baskerville. That way, we won't be able to know by night whether Barrymore is really in his job. ”

"That's so," said Baskerville. "By the way, Dr. Mortimer, who is this Barrymore, anyhow?"

"That's fine," said Baskerville, "but, Dr. Mortimer, what kind of man is this Barrymore?" ”

"He is the son of the old caretaker, who is dead. They have looked after the Hall for four generations now. So far as I know, he and his wife are as respectable a couple as any in the county."

"He is the son of the late old housekeeper, who has been in charge of the manor for four generations now, and as far as I know, he and his wife are a very respected couple in the countryside."

"At the same time," said Baskerville, "it's clear enough that so long as there are none of the family at the Hall these people have a mighty fine home and nothing to do."

"At the same time," said Baskerville, "it is clear that as long as there are no people from our family living on the estate, these people are too comfortable to do anything." ”

"That is true."

"It's true."

"Did Barrymore profit at all by Sir Charles's will?" asked Holmes.

"Did Barrymore really benefit from Sir Charles's will?" Holmes asked.

"He and his wife had five hundred pounds each."

"He and his wife each received five hundred pounds."

"Ha! Did they know that they would receive this?"

"Ah! Did they know before that they would get the money in the future? ”

"Yes; Sir Charles was very fond of talking about the provisions of his wlll."

"You know, Sir Charles loves to talk about the contents of his will."

"That is very interesting."

"It makes a lot of sense."

"I hope," said Dr. Mortimer, "that you do not look with suspicious eyes upon everyone who received a legacy from Sir Charles, for I also had a thousand pounds left to me."

"I hope," said Dr. Mortimer, "that you will not cast a suspicious eye on everyone who has benefited from Sir Charles's will, for he has left me a thousand pounds." ”

"Indeed! And anyone else?"

"Really? Who else got it? ”

"There were many insignificant sums to individuals, and a large number of public charities. The residue all went to Sir Henry."

"There are also a lot of small sums of money that are distributed to some people and large sums of money that are donated to public charities. The surplus went entirely to Sir Henry. ”

"And how much was the residue?"

"How much is the surplus?"

"Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds."

"Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds."

Holmes raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I had no idea that so gigantic a sum was involved," said he.

Holmes raised his eyebrows in astonishment and said, "I really didn't expect such a large number." ”

"Sir Charles had the reputation of being rich, but we did not know how very rich he was until we came to examine his securities. The total value of the estate was close on to a million."

"Sir Charles is known for his wealth, but we do not know how rich he really is until we examine his securities. It turned out that the total value of all the property was about one million pounds. ”

"Dear me! It is a stake for which a man might well play a desperate game. And one more question, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing that anything happened to our young friend here -- you will forgive the unpleasant hypothesis! -- who would inherit the estate?"

"Oh my God! A person sees such a big bet, of course, to gamble with his life. But there is another question, Dr. Mortimer, if something unfortunate happened to our young friends—and forgive me for my unpleasant assumption—who would inherit this property? ”

"Since Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles's younger brother died unmarried, the estate would descend to the Desmonds, who are distant cousins. James Desmond is an elderly clergyman in Westmoreland."

"Since Sir Charles's brother Roger Baskerville died without marrying, the property should pass to the distant cousin Desmonds. James Desmond was an elderly pastor in the local area of Westmoreland. ”

"Thank you. These details are all of great interest. Have you met Mr. James Desmond?"

"Thank you, these details are worth noting. Have you met Mr. James Desmond? ”

"Yes; he once came down to visit Sir Charles. He is a man of venerable appearance and of saintly life. I remember that he refused to accept any settlement from Sir Charles, though he pressed it upon him."

"I have seen, he has come to visit Sir Charles once. He was a dignified and honorable man who lived a holy life. I remember that he refused to accept any property from Sir Charles, even though Sir Charles forced him to accept it. ”

"And this man of simple tastes would be the heir to Sir Charles's thousands."

"Is this man of few proclivities going to be the heir to Sir Charles's vast family wealth?"

"He would be the heir to the estate because that is entailed. He would also be the heir to the money unless it were willed otherwise by the present owner, who can, of course, do what he likes with it."

"He will be the heir to the estate because that's what the law says." He will also inherit the money unless the current owner makes another will – of course he has the right to dispose of it at will. ”

"And have you made your will, Sir Henry?"

"Sir Henry, have you made a will?"

"No, Mr. Holmes, I have not. I've had no time, for it was only yesterday that I learned how matters stood. But in any case I feel that the money should go with the title and estate. That was my poor uncle's idea. How is the owner going to restore the glories of the Baskervilles if he has not money enough to keep up the property? House, land, and dollars must go together."

"No, Mr. Holmes. I haven't had time yet, because yesterday I didn't know the truth of the matter. However, in any case, I always feel that money should not be separated from titles and property. That was the last wish of my poor uncle. If the master did not have enough money to sustain the estate, how could he restore the prestige of the Baskervilles? Real estate and money must never be separated. ”

"Quite so. Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind with you as to the advisability of your going down to Devonshire without delay. There is only one provision which I must make. You certainly must not go alone."

"Very correct. Ah, Sir Henry, I share your opinion on the idea that you should go to Devon at once. But there is one condition, you must not go alone. ”

"Dr. Mortimer returns with me."

"Dr. Mortimer and I went back together."

"But Dr. Mortimer has his practice to attend to, and his house is miles away from yours. With all the good will in the world he may be unable to help you. No, Sir Henry, you must take with you someone, a trusty man, who will be always by your side."

"But Dr. Mortimer has a medical service, and his home is miles away from your home, and though he has great kindness to you, I am afraid that he will not be able to help you." No, Sir Henry, you must find someone else you can trust, someone who can always be with whom you are inseparable. ”

"Is it possible that you could come yourself, Mr. Holmes?"

"Is it possible that you will go by yourself, Mr. Holmes?"

"If matters came to a crisis I should endeavour to be present in person; but you can understand that, with my extensive consulting practice and with the constant appeals which reach me from many quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent from London for an indefinite time. At the present instant one of the most revered names in England is being besmirched by a blackmailer, and only I can stop a disastrous scandal. You will see how impossible it is for me to go to Dartmoor."

"If things come to a critical juncture, I will try to be personal as much as possible, but you can understand that I have a business of extensive consulting and frequent requests from all sides, and it would not be possible if I were asked to leave London indefinitely. There is now a very respectable figure in England who is being threatened and slandered, and only I can stop this serious slander. You can see how impossible it is to call me to the moor now. ”

"Whom would you recommend, then?"

"So, who are you going to let go?"

Holmes laid his hand upon my arm.

Holmes clapped the back of my hand with his hand and said:

"If my friend would undertake it there is no man who is better worth having at your side when you are in a tight place. No one can say so more confidently than I."

"If my friend is willing to take on this, then there is no better way to find someone to accompany and protect you in a critical situation than he can say, and no one can say more confident than I am."

The proposition took me completely by surprise, but before I had time to answer, Baskerville seized me by the hand and wrung it heartily.

This unexpected suggestion made me completely unsure of what to do. Before I could answer, Baskerville grabbed my hand and shook it enthusiastically.

"Well, now, that is real kind of you, Dr. Watson," said he. "You see how it is with me, and you know just as much about the matter as I do. If you will come down to Baskerville Hall and see me through I'll never forget it."

"Ah, Dr. Watson, I am so grateful for your kindness," he said, "that you know my situation, and that you know as much as I do about it; and that I will always remember it if you could accompany me at the Baskerville Manor." ”

The promise of adventure had always a fascination for me, and I was complimented by the words of Holmes and by the eagerness with which the baronet hailed me as a companion.

The adventures I was about to devote myself to were always attractive to me, and I was touched by the compliments of Holmes and the sincere affection of the baronet who regarded me as a companion.

"I will come, with pleasure," said I. "I do not know how I could employ my time better."

"Definitely, I'd love to go," I said, "and it's well worth it to use my time in this way." ”

"And you will report very carefully to me," said Holmes. "When a crisis comes, as it will do, I will direct how you shall act. I suppose that by Saturday all might be ready?"

"You have carefully reported to me," said Holmes, "that when a crisis comes—and a crisis always comes—I will instruct you on how to act." I guess I'm ready to go on Saturday, right? ”

"Would that suit Dr. Watson?"

"Is this convenient for Dr. Watson?"

"Perfectly."

"Very convenient."

"Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the contrary, we shall meet at the ten-thirty train from Paddington."

"Well, unless I give you other notice, we'll meet at the station on Saturday and take the 10:30 train from Paddington."

We had risen to depart when Baskerville gave a cry, of triumph, and diving into one of the corners of the room he drew a brown boot from under a cabinet.

As we were standing up to say goodbye, Baskerville suddenly gave a triumphant shout and rushed to the corner of the house, dragging out a brown long leather shoe from under the cupboard.

"My missing boot!" he cried.

"It was my lost shoe." He shouted.

"May all our difficulties vanish as easily!" said Sherlock Holmes.

"May all our difficulties disappear like this one!" Sherlock Holmes said.

"But it is a very, singular thing," Dr. Mortimer remarked. "I searched this room carefully before lunch."

"But this is a strange thing," said Dr. Mortimer, "that I had searched this house carefully before lunch. ”

"And so did I," said Baskerville. "Every, inch of it."

"I've searched too!" Baskerville said, "I've looked everywhere. ”

"There was certainly no boot in it then."

"At that time, there were definitely no long leather shoes in the house."

"In that case the waiter must have placed it there while we were lunching."

"So, it must have been there when we were having lunch and the waiter was there."

The German was sent for but professed to know nothing of the matter, nor could any inquiry, clear it up. Another item had been added to that constant and apparently purposeless series of small mysteries which had succeeded each other so rapidly. Setting aside the whole grim story, of Sir Charles's death, we had a line of inexplicable incidents all within the limits of two days, which included the receipt of the printed letter, the black-bearded spy in the hansom, the loss of the new brown boot, the loss of the old black boot, and now the return of the new brown boot. Holmes sat in silence in the cab as we drove back to Baker Street, and I knew from his drawn brows and keen face that his mind, like my own, was busy in endeavouring to frame some scheme into which all these strange and apparently disconnected episodes could be fitted. All afternoon and late into the evening he sat lost in tobacco and thought.

The German waiter was called over, but he said he didn't know anything about it, and he couldn't figure it out no matter how he asked. Mysterious events of unknown purpose occurred one after the other, and now there is one more. In addition to the whole horrific story of Sir Charles's violent death, within two days a series of unexplained wonders unexpectedly occurred: among them the receipt of letters in pencil, the stalker with the black beard in the two-wheeled carriage, the loss of newly purchased brown leather shoes and the disappearance of old black leather shoes, and the new brown leather shoes that have now been returned. Holmes sat silently as we rode back to Baker Street, and I could tell from his furrowed brows and grim face that his mind, like mine, was busy trying to piece together some conjecture that would explain all this strange but apparently unrelated interlude. All afternoon until late at night, he sat still, immersed in tobacco and contemplation.

Just before dinner two telegrams were handed in. The first ran:

Just before dinner, two telegrams were sent, the first of which was:

Have just heard that Barrymore is at the Hall.

It was revealed that Barrymore was indeed at the manor

BASKERVILLE.

Baskerville.

The second:

The second letter is:

Visited twenty-three hotels as directed, but sorry, to report unable to trace cut sheet of Times.

Twenty-three hotels were instructed to be found, but the cut-out Times was not found. Apologies.

CARTWRlGHT.

Catale.

"There go two of my threads, Watson. There is nothing more stimulating than a case where everything goes against you. We must cast round for another scent."

"Both of my clues are finished, Watson. There is nothing more annoying than a case where things don't go well. We have to switch directions and find another clue. ”

"We have still the cabman who drove the spy."

"We can always find a groom who drives the stalker."

"Exactly. I haw wired to get his name and address from the Official Registry. I should not be surprised if this were an answer to my question."

"Exactly. I have sent a telegram asking the Licensing Section to find out his name and address — and I would not be surprised if this were the answer to my question. ”

The ring at the bell proved to be something even more satisfactory than an answer, however, for the door opened and a rough-looking fellow entered who was evidently the man himself.

It turns out that the result of the doorbell is more satisfactory than the answer we wanted. Because as soon as the door opened, a rude guy came in, and apparently he was exactly the man we were looking for.

"I got a message from the head office that a gent at this address had been inquiring for No. 2704," said he. "I've driven my cab this seven years and never a word of complaint. I came here straight from the Yard to ask you to your face what you had against me."

"I received a notice from the General Directorate that there was a gentleman here who was looking for the driver of the No.2704 car!" He said, "I've been driving the carriage for seven years, and I've never heard a word of dissatisfaction from a passenger; I've come straight here from the depot, and I'm going to ask you in person what you're not satisfied with me." ”

"I have nothing in the world against you, my good man," said Holmes. "On the contrary, I have half a sovereign for you if you will give me a clear answer to my questions."

"Brother, I have no complaint with you," said Holmes, "on the contrary, if you can answer my question clearly, I will give you half a gold pound." ”

"Well, I've had a good day and no mistake," said the cabman with a grin. "What was it you wanted to ask, sir?"

The coachman grinned and said, "Ah, I'm really catching up with a good day today." Sir, what are you asking me? ”

"First of all your name and address, in case I want you again."

"First of all, I'm going to ask for your name and address, and I'll come back to you later when I need to."

"John Clayton, 3 Turpey Street, the Borough. My cab is out of Shipley's Yard, near Waterloo Station."

"John Clayton, who lives at 3 Tepi Street in town; my car was rented from Hippoly Depot near Waterloo Station."

Sherlock Holmes made a note of it.

Sherlock Holmes wrote these down.

"Now, Clayton, tell me all about the fare who came and watched this house at ten o'clock this morning and afterwards followed the two gentlemen down Regent Street."

"Now, Clayton, please tell me about the passenger who came to monitor the house this morning and who later followed the two gentlemen on Regent Street."

The man looked surprised and a little embarrassed. "Why there's no good my telling you things, for you seem to know as much as I do already," said he. "The truth is that the gentleman told me that he was a detective and that I was to say nothing about him to anyone."

It looked like the man was taken aback and a little overwhelmed. "Well, it seems that I don't need to tell you about it anymore, because it seems that you know as much as I do," he said, "and the truth is that the gentleman once told me that he was a detective and that he was not allowed to tell anyone about him." ”

"My good fellow; this is a very serious business, and you may find yourself in a pretty bad position if you try to hide anything from me. You say that your fare told you that he was a detective?"

"Dude, this is a very serious matter, and if you want to hide anything from me, you're going to be out of luck." Did you say your passengers ever told you he was a detective? ”

"Yes, he did."

"Yes, that's what he said."

"When did he say this?"

"When did he say that?"

"When he left me."

"When he left me."

"Did he say anything more?"

"Did he say anything else?"

"He mentioned his name."

"He mentioned his name."

Holmes cast a swift glance of triumph at me. "Oh, he mentioned his name, did he? That was imprudent. What was the name that he mentioned?"

Holmes glanced at me quickly with a triumphant look. "Oh, he mentioned his name, didn't he?" That's presumptuous. What did he say his name was? ”

"His name," said the cabman, "was Mr. Sherlock Holmes."

"His name," said the coachman, "is Sherlock Holmes, sir. ”

Never have I seen my friend more completely taken aback than by the cabman's reply. For an instant he sat in silent amazement. Then he burst into a hearty laugh.

I've never seen my friend so taken aback as he did when he heard the coachman's words. In the blink of an eye, he sat there in shock and didn't say a word. Then he burst out laughing again.

"A touch, Watson -- an undeniable touch!" said he. "I feel a foil as quick and supple as my own. He got home upon me very prettily that time. So his name was Sherlock Holmes, was it?"

"Wonderful, Watson, it's wonderful," he said, "and I think he's such a quick and astute man as I am." Last time he could have made me really pretty—his name was Sherlock Holmes, wasn't he? ”

"Yes, sir, that was the gentleman's name."

"Yes, sir, that's the gentleman's name."

"Excellent! Tell me where you picked him up and all that occurred."

"Great! Tell me where he got your car and what happened after that. ”

"He hailed me at half-past nine in Trafalgar Square. He said that he was a detective, and he offered me two guineas if I would do exactly what he wanted all day and ask no questions. I was glad enough to agree. First we drove down to the Northumberland Hotel and waited there until two gentlemen came out and took a cab from the rank. We followed their cab until it pulled up somewhere near here."

"At half past nine he called my car in Trevorga Square, said he was a detective, and said that if I could obey his instructions absolutely all day without asking any questions, he would give me two gold pounds. I happily agreed. We first rushed to the Northamborand Hotel, where we waited until the two gentlemen came out and hired the carriage. We followed their carriage until we stopped near here. ”

"This very door," said Holmes.

"This is the gate." Holmes said.

"Well, I couldn't be sure of that, but I dare say my fare knew all about it. We pulled up halfway down the street and waited an hour and a half. Then the two gentlemen passed us, walking, and we followed down Baker Street and along --"

"Ah, I'm not sure about that. But I dare say my passengers know everything. We stopped on the street and waited for an hour and a half. Then two gentlemen walked past us, and we followed down Baker Street, along the ..."

"I know," said Holmes.

Holmes interjected, "I know that. ”

"Until we got three-quarters down Regent Street. Then my gentleman threw up the trap, and he cried that I should drive right away to Waterloo Station as hard as I could go. I whipped up the mare and we were there under the ten minutes. Then he paid up his two guineas, like a good one, and away he went into the station. Only just as he was leaving he turned round and he said: 'It might interest you to know that you have been driving Mr. Sherlock Holmes.' That's how I come to know the name."

"When we walked about three-quarters of the way through Regent Street. Suddenly, the gentleman in my car opened the roof sliding window and shouted at me to get there as quickly as possible to Waterloo station. I whipped the horse and arrived in less than ten minutes. He actually gave me two gold pounds and went into the station. It was as he was about to leave that he turned around and said, 'You might be interested if you knew, your passenger was Sherlock Holmes.' That way I knew his name. ”

"I see. And you saw no more of him?"

"That's the way it is. Haven't you seen him again? ”

"Not after he went into the station."

"Once he entered the station, he never saw him again."

"And how would you describe Mr. Sherlock Holmes?"

"Now how do you describe Monsieur Sherlock Holmes?"

The cabman scratched his head. "Well, he wasn't altogether such an easy gentleman to describe. I'd put him at forty years of age, and he was of a middle height, two or three inches shorter than you, sir. He was dressed like a toff, and he had a black beard, cut square at the end, and a pale face. I don't know as I could say more than that."

The coachman scratched his head and said, "Ah, he's not so easy to describe." I saw him looking forty, of medium build, two or three inches shorter than you, sir. Dressed like a gentleman, with a black beard, a neatly cut end, and a pale face. I think that's all I can say. ”

"Colour of his eyes?"

"What about the color of the eyeballs?"

"No, I can't say that."

"No, I can't say it."

"Nothing more that you can remember?"

"Can't you remember anything else?"

"No, sir; nothing."

"Well, sir, I can't remember."

"Well, then, here is your half-sovereign. There's another one waiting for you if you can bring any more information. Good-night!"

"Well, then give you this half a gold pound." If you can bring more news later, you can also get another half a pound. Good night! ”

"Good-night, sir, and thank you!"

"Good night, sir, thank you."

John Clayton departed chuckling, and Holmes turned to me with a shrug of his shoulders and a rueful smile.

John Clayton giggled and left. Holmes shrugged and turned his head to me with a disappointed smile.

"Snap goes our third thread, and we end where we began," said he. "The cunning rascal! He knew our number, knew that Sir Henry Baskerville had consulted me, spotted who I was in Regent Street, conjectured that I had got the number of the cab and would lay my hands on the driver, and so sent back this audacious message. I tell you, Watson, this time we have got a foeman who is worthy of our steel. I've been checkmated in London. I can only wish you better luck in Devonshire. But I'm not easy in my mind about it."

"Our third clue was broken, and we just touched it and nodded and blew it again." He said, "This cunning rogue! He had touched our bottoms, and he knew that Sir Henry Baskerville had approached me, and had detected who I was in Regent Street, and that I would have gone to the coachman, considering that I had written down the number of the carriage, and that he had sent this tongue-in-cheek message. I tell you, Watson, this time we really ran into an opponent worth fighting. I have suffered setbacks in London. I wish you a little better luck in Devon than here, but I'm not sure. ”

"About what?"

"What's not to worry about?"

"About sending you. It's an ugly business, Watson, an ugly dangerous business, and the more I see of it the less I like it. Yes my dear fellow, you may laugh, but I give you my word that I shall be very glad to have you back safe and sound in Baker Street once more."

"I'm not sure about the thing that sent you. It's tricky, Watson, it's tricky and dangerous, and the more I look at it, the more I don't like it. Yes, dear partner, you can laugh at me, but I tell you, if you can come back safely and safely to Baker Street, then I am so happy. ”