登陆注册
5256000000058

第58章 Chapter 13(10)

`We had an example of his readiness of resource that morning when he got away from us so successfully, and also of his audacity in sending back my own name to me through the cabman. From that moment he understood that I had taken over the case in London, and that therefore there was no chance for him there. He returned to Dartmoor and awaited the arrival of the baronet.'

`One moment!' said I. `You have, no doubt, described the sequence of events correctly, but there is one point which you have left unexplained.

What became of the hound when its master was in London?'

`I have given some attention to this matter and it is undoubtedly of importance. There can be no question that Stapleton had a confidant, though it is unlikely that he ever placed himself in his power by sharing all his plans with him. There was an old manservant at Merripit House, whose name was Anthony. His connection with the Stapletons can be traced for several years, as far back as the schoolmastering days, so that he must have been aware that his master and mistress were really husband and wife. This man has disappeared and has escaped from the country. It is suggestive that Anthony is not a common name in England, while Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish-American countries. The man, like Mrs.

Stapleton herself, spoke good English, but with a curious lisping accent.

I have myself seen this old man cross the Grimpen Mire by the path which Stapleton had marked out. It is very probable, therefore, that in the absence of his master it was he who cared for the hound, though he may never have known the purpose for which the beast was used.

`The Stapletons then went down to Devonshire, whither they were soon followed by Sir Henry and you. One word now as to how I stood myself at that time. It may possibly recur to your memory that when I examined the paper upon which the printed words were fastened I made a close inspection for the watermark. In doing so I held it within a few inches of my eyes, and was conscious of a faint smell of the scent known as white jessamine.

There are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very necessary that a criminal expert should be able to distinguish from each other, and cases have more than once within my own experience depended upon their prompt recognition.

The scent suggested the presence of a lady, and already my thoughts began to turn towards the Stapletons. Thus I had made certain of the hound, and had guessed at the criminal before ever we went to the west country.

`It was my game to watch Stapleton. It was evident, however, that I could not do this if I were with you, since he would be keenly on his guard. I deceived everybody, therefore, yourself included, and I came down secretly when I was supposed to be in London. My hardships were not so great as you imagined, though such trifling details must never interfere with the investigation of a case. I stayed for the most part at Coombe Tracey, and only used the hut upon the moor when it was necessary to be near the scene of action. Cartwright had come down with me, and in his disguise as a country boy he was of great assistance to me. I was dependent upon him for food and clean linen. When I was watching Stapleton, Cartwright was frequently watching you, so that I was able to keep my hand upon all the strings.

`I have already told you that your reports reached me rapidly, being forwarded instantly from Baker Street to Coombe Tracey. They were of great service to me, and especially that one incidentally truthful piece of biography of Stapleton's. I was able to establish the identity of the man and the woman and knew at last exactly how I stood. The case had been considerably complicated through the incident of the escaped convict and the relations between him and the Barrymores. This also you cleared up in a very effective way, though I had already come to the same conclusions from my own observations.

同类推荐
  • 達朹行部志

    達朹行部志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 摩诃般若波罗蜜钞经

    摩诃般若波罗蜜钞经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 浣花溪记

    浣花溪记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 双江聂先生文集摘

    双江聂先生文集摘

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 走马急疳真方

    走马急疳真方

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 藏好你的尾巴

    藏好你的尾巴

    鱼卿从小到大听过的最多的就是藏好你的尾巴,却没想到,刚上岸就被人看了去,鱼卿欲哭无泪,想象中的酷刑没有来,只听到一个颤抖着的声音“你...你要不要来我家?”鱼卿:“???”谁人都知霍家大少爷成熟稳重,有钱有颜还有翘臀(?),却没想到也有看到霍燃抱着怀里的人温柔轻声:“卿卿,别跑了,求你了,我会疯的”克制隐忍的在怀里的人的头顶落下一吻“灯火虽有千万,月亮只有一弯”年龄差5岁,霍燃x鱼卿
  • 上清道宝经

    上清道宝经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 四明仁岳异说丛书目次

    四明仁岳异说丛书目次

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 和武相公中秋夜西蜀

    和武相公中秋夜西蜀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Sir Thomas More

    Sir Thomas More

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 陌时晚路愿宸安

    陌时晚路愿宸安

    简单来说,这就是一只单纯(可能)女主与一只小奶狗(可能)男主互相恩/坑恩/蒙爱/拐爱/骗的故事。划重点,包甜但不包文笔,剧情进展较慢,慎入!
  • 程门雪遗稿

    程门雪遗稿

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Beasts and Superbeasts

    Beasts and Superbeasts

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 单志林护宝记

    单志林护宝记

    单志林跌跌撞撞地闯进芦苇荡,一群野鸭和几只震旦鸦雀,在他的头上惊恐地掠过。野鸭子展翅的扑棱声和震旦鸦雀的惨淡凄厉声,划破寂静的湛蓝的天空消失在远处。单志林随之扑通一声倒在水塘里,左肩膀梅花镖绽开的花瓣,涌出一股鲜血,像抹红云晕染在水塘里。芦苇荡沉寂得如同坠入深渊。西海边露出橘黄色的一片彩云,人字形的一群大雁,拖着霞光消失在西斜的彩云里。初秋的黄昏,晚风裹着辽河口湿漉漉的咸腥味,轻拂在老钟紫铜色的脸上。老钟迷糊着眼睛,头枕在装着稻糠的麻袋包上,偶尔扬起手里的鞭子,在马头上摇晃两下。枣红色的三河马昂头扬蹄,步履矫健地踏在泛白的盐土路上。
  • 杰出人士的9大思维突破

    杰出人士的9大思维突破

    "美国成功学大师命破仑·希尔说:“思维能够成就一个人,也能够摧毁一个人。”这说明思维的力量是巨大的。本书以朴实、通俗的语言从多角度、多侧面地介绍了大量古今中外杰出人士的思维突破,内容具体、翔实、说理透彻清晰,具有较强的启发性和激励性,对于今天渴望走向成功、成就杰出的人士来说,无疑是一笔巨大的财富和资本。