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[Assistant] Ten pounds reward. The number of the cab which dropped a fare at or about the door of the Foreign Office in Charles Street at quarter to ten in the evening of May 23rd. Apply 221B Baker Street. You are confident that the thief came in a cab? If not, there is no harm done.


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[Assistant] But if Mr Phelps is correct in stating that there is no hiding place, either in the room or the corridors, then the person must have come from outside.


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[Assistant] Then it is exceeding probable that he came in a cab.


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[Assistant] Yes, I think that we may safely deduce a cab. It sounds plausible. That is one of the clues of which I spoke. It may lead us to something.


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[Assistant] And then of course there is the bell, which is the most distinctive feature of the case. Why should the bell ring?


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[Assistant] Was it the thief who did it out of bravado, or was it someone who was with the thief who did it in order to prevent the crime, or was it an accident, or was it


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[Assistant] He sank back into the state of intense and silent thought from which he had emerged.


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[Assistant] But it seemed to me, accustomed as I was to his every mood,


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[Assistant] It was twenty past three when we reached our terminus, and after a hasty luncheon at the buffet we pushed on at once to Scotland Yard.


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[Assistant] Holmes had already wired to Forbes, and we found him waiting to receive us, a small foxy man with a sharp but by no means amiable expression.


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[Assistant] He was decidedly frigid in his manner to us, especially when he heard the errand upon which we had come.


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[Assistant] I've heard of your methods before now, Mr. Holmes," said he tightly. You are ready enough to use all the information that the police can lay at your disposal, and then you try to finish the case yourself and bring discredit on them.


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[Assistant] On the contrary," said Holmes, out of my last fifty-three cases my name has only appeared in four, and the police have had all the credit in forty-nine. I don't blame you for not knowing this, for you are young and inexperienced, but if you wish to get on in your new duties you will work with me and not against me.


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[Assistant] I'll be very glad if I hint or two," said the detective, changing his manner. I've certainly had no credit from the case so far. What steps have you taken?


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[Assistant] Tanguy, the commissioner, has been shadowed. He left the guards with a good character, and we could find nothing against him.


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[Assistant] His wife is a bad lot, though. I fancy she knows more about this than appears. Have you shadowed her?


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[Assistant] We have set one of our women on to her. Mrs Tangy drinks, and our woman has been with her twice when she was well on, but she could get nothing out of her. I understand that they have brokers in the house. Yes, but they were paid off. Where did the money come from?


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[Assistant] That was all right. His pension was due. They have not shown any sign of being in funds.


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[Assistant] What explanation did she give of having answered the bell when Mr Phelps rang for the coffee?


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[Assistant] She said that her husband was very tired and she wished to relieve him.


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[Assistant] Well, certainly that would agree with his being found a little later asleep in his chair. There is nothing against them then but the woman's character.


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[Assistant] Did you ask her why she hurried away that night? Her haste attracted the attention of the police constable. She was lighter than usual and wanted to get home.


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[Assistant] Did you point out to her that you and Mr. Phelps, who started at least 20 minutes after her, got home before her?


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[Assistant] She explains that by the difference between a bus and a handsome.


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[Assistant] Did she make it clear why, on reaching her house, she ran into the back kitchen? Because she had the money there with which to pay off the brokers.


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[Assistant] She has at least an answer for everything. Did you ask her whether in leaving she met anyone or saw anyone loitering about Charles Street? She saw no one but the constable.


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[Assistant] Well, you seem to have cross examined her pretty thoroughly. What else have you done?


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[Assistant] The Clark Gorrow has been shadowed all these nine weeks, but without result we can show nothing against him. Anything else?


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[Assistant] Well, we have nothing else to go upon. No evidence of any kind. Have you formed a theory about how that bell rang?


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[Assistant] I must confess that it beats me. It was a cool hand, whoever it was, to go and give the alarm like that. Yes, it was a queer thing to do.


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[Assistant] Many thanks to you for what you've told me. If I can put the man into your hands you shall hear from me. Come along, Watson. Where are we going to now? I asked as we left the office.


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[Assistant] We are now going to interview Lord Holdhurst, the Cabinet Minister and future Premier of England.


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[Assistant] We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holthurst was still in his chambers in Downing Street, and on Holmes sending in his card we were instantly shown up.


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[Assistant] The statesman received us with that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is remarkable, and seated us on the two luxuriant lounges on either side of the fireplace.


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[Assistant] Standing on the rug between us with his slight tall figure, his sharp features, thoughtful face and curling hair prematurely tinged with grey,


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[Assistant] He seemed to represent that not-too-common type, a noble man who is in truth noble. "'Your name is very familiar to me, Mr. Holmes,' said he, smiling, and, of course, I cannot pretend to be ignorant of the object of your visit.


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[Assistant] There has only been one occurrence in these offices which could call for your attention.


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[Assistant] In whose interest are you acting, may I ask?


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[Assistant] In that of Mr. Percy Phelps, answered Holmes.


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[Assistant] You can understand that our kinship makes it the more impossible for me to screen him in any way. I fear that the incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon his career. But if the document is found—ah, that of course would be different.


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[Assistant] I had one or two questions which I wish to ask you, Lord Holdhurst.


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[Assistant] I shall be happy to give you any information in my power.


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[Assistant] Was it in this room that you gave your instructions as to the copying of the document? It was. Then you could hardly have been overheard. It is out of the question.


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[Assistant] Did you ever mention to anyone that it was your intention to give anyone the treaty to be copied? Never. You are certain of that? Absolutely.


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[Assistant] Well, since you never said so, and Mr. Phelps never said so, and nobody else knew anything of the matter, then the thief's presence in the room was purely accidental. He saw his chance, and he took it.


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[Assistant] The statesman smiled. You take me out of my province there, said he. Holmes considered for a moment.


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[Assistant] There is another very important point which I wish to discuss with you," said he.


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[Assistant] You feared, as I understand, that very grave results might follow from the details of this treaty becoming known.


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[Assistant] If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to hear of it.


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[Assistant] I should, said Lord Holthurst with a wry face.


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[Assistant] Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed then, and nothing has been heard, it is not unfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty has not reached them. Lord Holthurst shrugged his shoulders


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[Assistant] We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes, that the thief took the treaty in order to frame it and hang it up. Perhaps he's waiting for a better price.


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[Assistant] Of course, it is a possible supposition that the thief has had a sudden illness.


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[Assistant] An attack of brain fever, for example? asked the statesman, flashing a swift glance at him.


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[Assistant] I did not say so, said Holmes imperturbably.


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[Assistant] And now, Lord Holdhurst, we have already taken up too much of your valuable time, and we shall wish you good day.


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[Assistant] Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may," answered the nobleman as he bowed us out the door.


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[Assistant] He's a fine fellow, said Holmes as we came out into Whitehall, but he has a struggle to keep up his position.


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[Assistant] He is far from rich and has many calls. You noticed, of course, that his boots had been resold.


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[Assistant] Now, Watson, I won't detain you from your legitimate work any longer. I shall do nothing more to-day, unless I have an answer to my cab advertisement, but I shall be extremely obliged to you if you would come down with me to Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we took yesterday.


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[Assistant] I met him accordingly next morning and we travelled down to Woking together.


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[Assistant] He had no answer to his advertisement, he said, and no fresh light had been thrown upon the case.


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[Assistant] He had, when he so willed it, the utter immobility of countenance of a Red Indian, and I could not gather from his appearance whether he was satisfied or not with the position of the case.


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[Assistant] His conversation, I remember, was about the Bertillon system of measurements, and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration of the French savant.


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[Assistant] We found our client still under the charge of his devoted nurse, but looking considerably better than before.


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[Assistant] He rose from the sofa and greeted us without difficulty when we entered. Any news? he asked eagerly.


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[Assistant] My report, as I expected, is a negative one," said Holmes. I have seen Forbes, and I have seen your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of inquiry upon foot which may lead to something. You have not lost heart, then? By no means." God bless you for saying that," cried Miss Harrison.


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[Assistant] If we keep our courage and our patience, the truth must come out.


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[Assistant] We have more to tell you than you have for us," said Phelps, reseating himself upon the couch.


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[Assistant] Yes, we have had an adventure during the night, and one which might have proved to be a serious one.


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[Assistant] His expression grew very grave as he spoke, and the look of something akin to fear sprang up in his eyes.


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[Assistant] Do you know," said he, that I begin to believe that I am the unconscious centre of some monstrous conspiracy, and that my life is aimed at as well as my honour?


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[Assistant] Ah!" cried Holmes. It sounds incredible, for I have not, as far as I know, an enemy in the world. Yet from last night's experience I can come to no other conclusion. Pray let me hear it.


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[Assistant] You must know that last night was the very first night that I've ever slept without a nurse in the room.


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[Assistant] I was so much better that I thought I could dispense with one. I had a nightlight burning, however.


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[Assistant] Well, about two in the morning I had sunk into a light sleep when I was suddenly aroused by a slight noise.


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[Assistant] It was like the sound which a mouse makes when it is gnawing a plank.


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[Assistant] And suddenly there came from the window a sharp metallic snick. I sat up in amazement. There could be no doubt what the sounds were now.


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[Assistant] The first ones had been caused by someone forcing an instrument through the slit between the sashes, and the second by the catch being pressed back.


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[Assistant] There was a pause then for about ten minutes, as if the person were waiting to see whether the noise had awakened me.


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[Assistant] Then I heard a gentle creaking as the window was very slowly open.


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[Assistant] I could stand it no longer, for my nerves are not what they used to be. I sprang out of bed and flung open the shutters. A man was crouching at the window


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[Assistant] I could see little of him, for he was gone like a flash.


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[Assistant] I should have followed him through the open window if I'd been stronger.


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[Assistant] I shouted, however, and that brought Joseph down, and he roused the others.


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[Assistant] Joseph and the groom found marks on the bed outside the window, but the weather has been so dry lately that they found it hopeless to follow the trail across the grass.


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[Assistant] There's a place, however, on the wooden fence which skirts the road which shows signs, they tell me, as if someone had got over and had snapped the top of the rail in doing so. I have said nothing to the local police yet, for I thought I'd best have your opinion first.


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[Assistant] This tale of our clients appear to have an extraordinary effect upon Sherlock Holmes.


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[Assistant] He rose from his chair and paced about the room in uncontrollable excitement.


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[Assistant] Miss Fortune's never come single," said Phelps, smiling, though it was evident that his adventure had somewhat shaken him. You have certainly had your share, said Holmes. Do you think you could walk round the house with me?


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[Assistant] Oh yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph will come too. And I also," said Miss Harrison.


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[Assistant] I am afraid not," said Holmes, shaking his head. I think I must ask you to remain sitting exactly where you are. The young lady resumed her seat with an air of displeasure.


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[Assistant] Her brother, however, had joined us, and we set off all four together.


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[Assistant] We passed round the lawn to the outside of the young diplomatist's window. There were, as he had said, marks upon the bed, but they were hopelessly blurred and vague.


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[Assistant] Homes stooped over them for an instant, and then Rose shrugging his shoulders.


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[Assistant] I don't think anyone could make much of this," said he. Let us go round the house and see why this particular room was chosen by the burglar. I should have thought those larger windows of the drawing-room and dining-room would have had more attractions for him.


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[Assistant] They are more visible from the road suggested Mr. Joseph Harrison.


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[Assistant] Ah, yes, of course. There is a door here which he might have attempted. What is it for?


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[Assistant] It is a side entrance for tradespeople. Of course, it is locked at night. Have you ever had an alarm like this before?"


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[Assistant] Do you keep plate in the house, or anything to attract burglars? Nothing of value.


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[Assistant] Holmes strolled round the house with his hands in his pockets and a negligent air which was unusual with him.


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[Assistant] By the way," said he to Joseph Harrison, you found some place, I understand, where the fellows scale the fence. Let us have a look at it.


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[Assistant] The plump young man led us to a spot where the top of one of the wooden rails had been cracked. A small fragment of the wood was hanging down. Holmes pulled it off and examined it critically.


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[Assistant] Do you think that was done last night? It looks rather old, does it not? Well, possibly so.


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[Assistant] There are no marks of anyone jumping down upon the other side. No, I fancy we shall get no help here. Let us go back to the bedroom and talk the matter over.


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[Assistant] Percy Phelps was walking very slowly, leaning upon the arm of his future brother-in-law.


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[Assistant] Homes walked swiftly across the lawn, and we were at the open window of the bedroom long before the others came.


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[Assistant] Miss Harrison, said Holmes, speaking with the utmost intensity of manner.


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[Assistant] You must stay where you are all day. Let nothing prevent you from staying where you are all day. It is of the utmost importance.


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[Assistant] Certainly if you wish it, Mr. Holmes," said the girl in astonishment.


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[Assistant] When you go to bed, lock the door of this room on the outside and keep the key. Promise to do this. But Percy, he will come to London with us. And am I to remain here?


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[Assistant] It is for his sake. You can serve him. Quick. Promise.


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[Assistant] She gave a quick nod of assent, just as the other two came up.


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[Assistant] Why do you sit moping there, Annie?" cried her brother. Come out into the sunshine. No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight headache, and this room is deliciously cool and soothing.


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[Assistant] What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes? asked our client.


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[Assistant] Well, in investigating this minor affair, we must not lose sight of our main inquiry. It would be a very great help to me if you would come up to London with us. At once?


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[Assistant] Well, as soon as you conveniently can, say in an hour.


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[Assistant] I feel quite strong enough, if I can really be of any help. The greatest possible. Perhaps you would like me to stay there tonight. I was just going to propose it.


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[Assistant] Then, if my friend of the night comes to revisit me, he will find the bird flown.


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[Assistant] We are all in your hands, Mr. Holmes, and you must tell us exactly what you would like done.


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[Assistant] Perhaps you would prefer that Joseph came with us so as to look after me.


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[Assistant] Oh no, my friend Watson is a medical man, you know, and he'll look after you. We'll have our lunch here, if you will permit us, and then we shall all three set off for town together.


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[Assistant] It was arranged as he suggested, though Miss Harrison excused herself from leaving the bedroom in accordance with Holmes's suggestion.


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[Assistant] What the object of my friend's manoeuvres was I could not conceive, unless it were to keep the lady away from Phelps, who, rejoiced by his returning health, and by the prospect of action, lunched with us in the dining-room.


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[Assistant] Holmes had a still more startling surprise for us, however, for after accompanying us down to the station, and seeing us into our carriage,


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[Assistant] He calmly announced that he had no intention of leaving Woking.


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[Assistant] There are one or two small points which I should desire to clear up before I go," said he. Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways rather assist me. Watson, when you reach London, you would oblige me by driving at once to Baker Street with our friend here, and remaining with him until I see you again.


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[Assistant] It is fortunate that you are old school fellows, as you must have much to talk over. Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom to-night, and I will be with you in time for breakfast, for there is a train which will take me into Waterloo at eight.


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[Assistant] But how about our investigation in London? asked Phelps ruefully.


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[Assistant] We can do that tomorrow. I think that just at present I can be of more immediate use here.


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[Assistant] You might tell them at Briarbray that I hope to be back tomorrow night," cried Phelps as we began to move from the platform.


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[Assistant] I hardly expect to go back to Briarbray," answered Holmes, and waved his hand to us cheerily as we shot out from the station.


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[Assistant] Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of us could devise a satisfactory reason for this new development.


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[Assistant] I suppose he wants to find out some clue as to the burglary last night.


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[Assistant] If a burglar it was, for myself I don't believe it was an ordinary thief. What is your own idea then?


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[Assistant] Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not.


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[Assistant] But I believe there is some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that for some reason that passes my understanding, my life is aimed at by the conspirators.


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[Assistant] It sounds high-flown and absurd, but consider the facts. Why should a thief try to break in at a bedroom window, where there could be no hope of any plunder? And why should he come with a long knife in his hand? You're sure it was not a housebreaker's jimmy?


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[Assistant] Oh no, it was a knife. I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly. Why on earth should you be pursued with such animosity? Ah, that is the question.


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[Assistant] Well, if Holmes takes the same view, that would account for his action, would it not? Presuming that your theory is correct. If he can lay his hands upon the man who threatened you last night, he will have gone a long way towards finding who took the naval treaty. It is absurd to suppose that you have two enemies, one of whom robs you while the other threatens your life. But Holmes said that he was not going to Briarbray.


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[Assistant] I have known him for some time, said I, but I never know him to do anything yet without a very good reason.


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[Assistant] And with that, our conversation drifted off onto other topics.


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[Assistant] But it was a weary day for me. Phelps was still weak after his long illness, and his misfortune made him querulous and nervous. In vain I endeavoured to interest him in Afghanistan, in India, in social questions, in anything which might take his mind out of the groove.


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[Assistant] He would always come back to his lost treaty, wondering, guessing, speculating, as to what Holmes was doing, what Steps Lord Holthurst was taking, what news we should have in the morning.


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[Assistant] As the evening wore on his excitement became quite painful. You have implicit faith in Holmes? he asked. I have seen him do some remarkable things.


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[Assistant] But he never brought light into anything quite so dark as this.


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[Assistant] Oh yes, I have known him solve questions which presented fewer clues than yours. But not where such large interests are at stake.


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[Assistant] I don't know that. To my certain knowledge he has acted on behalf of three of the reigning houses of Europe in very vital matters.


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[Assistant] But you know him well, Watson. He is such an inscrutable fellow that I never quite know what to make of him.


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[Assistant] Do you think he is hopeful? Do you think he expects to make a success of it? He has said nothing. That is a bad sign.


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[Assistant] On the contrary, I have noticed that when he is off the trail he generally says so. It is when he is on ascent, and is not quite absolutely sure yet that it is the right one, that he is most taciturn.


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[Assistant] Now my dear fellow, we can't help matters by making ourselves nervous about them, so let me implore you to go to bed, and so be fresh for whatever may await us tomorrow.


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[Assistant] I was able at last to persuade my companion to take my advice, though I knew from his excited manner that there was not much hope of sleep for him. Indeed, his mood was infectious, for I lay tossing half the night myself, brooding over this strange problem and inventing a hundred theories, each of which was more impossible than the last. Wyatt Holmes remained at Woking.


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[Assistant] Why had he asked Miss Harrison to remain in the sick-room all day?


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[Assistant] Why had he been so careful not to inform the people at Briarbray that he intended to remain near them?


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[Assistant] I cuddled my brains until I fell asleep in the endeavour to find some explanation which would cover all these facts.


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[Assistant] It was seven o'clock when I awoke, and I set off at once for Phelps's room, to find him haggard and spent after a sleepless night. His first question was whether Holmes had arrived yet.


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[Assistant] He'll be here when he promised, said I, and not an instant sooner or later.


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[Assistant] And my words were true. For shortly after eight a handsome dashed up to the door, and our friend got out of it. Standing in the window we saw that his left hand was swathed in a bandage, and that his face was very grim and pale.


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[Assistant] He entered the house, but it was some little time before he came upstairs. He looks like a beaten man, cried Phelps. I was forced to confess that he was right.


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[Assistant] After all, said I, the clue of the matter lies probably here in town. Phelps gave a groan.


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[Assistant] I don't know how it is," said he, but I had hoped for so much from his return, but surely his hand was not tied up like that yesterday. What can be the matter?


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[Assistant] You are not wounded, Holmes, I asked as my friend entered the room.


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[Assistant] Tut, it is only a scratch through my own clumsiness," he answered, nodding his good mornings to us. This case of yours, Mr. Phelps, is certainly one of the darkest which I have ever investigated. I feared that you would find it beyond you. It has been a most remarkable experience.


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[Assistant] That bandage tells of adventures," said I. Won't you tell us what has happened? After breakfast, my dear Watson.


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[Assistant] Remember that I have breathed thirty miles of surrey air this morning. I suppose that there has been no answer from my cabman advertisement. Well, well, we cannot expect to score every time.


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[Assistant] The table was all laid, and just as I was about to ring, Mrs Hudson entered with a tea and coffee.


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[Assistant] A few minutes later she brought in three covers and we all drew up to the table.


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[Assistant] Holmes Ravenous, I Curious, and Phelps in the Gloomiest State of Depression.


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[Assistant] Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion," said Holmes, uncovering a dish of curried chicken.


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[Assistant] But she has as good an idea of breakfast as a Scotch woman. What have you here, Watson?


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[Assistant] Have an eggs, I answered. Good. What are you going to take, Mr Phelps? Curried fowl or eggs? Or will you help yourself?


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[Assistant] Thank you. I can eat nothing," said Phelps. Oh, come, try the dish before you. Thank you. I would really rather not. Well, then, said Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle, I suppose that you have no objection to helping me?


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[Assistant] Phelps raised the cover, and as he did so he uttered a scream, and sat there staring with a face as white as the plate upon which he looked.


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[Assistant] Across the centre of it was lying a little cylinder of blue-grey paper.


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[Assistant] He caught it up, devoured it with his eyes, and then danced madly about the room, pressing it to his bosom and shrieking out in his delight.


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[Assistant] Then he fell back into an armchair, so limp and exhausted with his own emotions that we had to pour brandy down his throat to keep him from fainting.


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[Assistant] There, there!" said Holmes, soothing, patting him upon the shoulder. It was too bad to spring it on you like this, but Watson here will tell you that I never can resist a touch of the dramatic.


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[Assistant] Phelps seized his hand and kissed it. God bless you, he cried. You have saved my honour.


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[Assistant] Well, my own was at stake, you know," said Holmes. I assure you it is just as hateful to me to fail in a case as it can be to you to blunder over a commission.


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[Assistant] Phelps thrust away the precious document into the innermost pocket of his coat.


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[Assistant] I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast any further, and yet I am dying to know how you got it and where it was.


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[Assistant] Sherlock Holmes swallowed a cup of coffee and turned his attention to the ham and eggs.


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[Assistant] Then he rose, lit his pipe and settled himself down into his chair.


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[Assistant] I'll tell you what I did first, and how I came to do it afterwards," said he. After leaving her at the station I went for a charming walk through some admirable surrey scenery to a pretty little village called Ripley, where I had my tea at an inn, and took the precaution of filling my flask and of putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket.


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[Assistant] There I remained until evening, when I set off for woking again, and found myself in the high road outside Briarbray just after sunset.


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[Assistant] Well, I waited until the road was clear, which is never a very frequent one at any time, I fancy, and then I clambered over the fence into the grounds.


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[Assistant] Surely the gate was open?" ejaculated Phelps. Yes, but I have a peculiar taste in these matters.


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[Assistant] I chose the place where the three fir trees stand, and behind their screen I got over without the least chance of anyone in the house being able to see me.


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[Assistant] I crouched down among the bushes on the other side, and crawled from one to the other.


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[Assistant] Witnessed the disreputable state of my trouser knees, until I had reached the clump of rhododendrons just opposite to your bedroom window. There I squatted down and awaited developments.


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[Assistant] The blind was not down in your room and I could see Miss Harrison sitting there, reading by the table.


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[Assistant] It was quarter past ten when she closed her book, fastened the shutters, and retired.


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[Assistant] I heard her shut the door, and felt quite sure that she had turned the key in the lock.


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[Assistant] Yes, I had given Miss Harrison instructions to lock the door on the outside and take the key with her when she went to bed.


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[Assistant] She carried out every one of my injunctions to the letter, and certainly without her cooperation you would not have that paper in your coat pocket.


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[Assistant] She departed then, and the lights went out, and I was left squatting in the rhododendron bush.


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[Assistant] The night was fine, but still it was a very weary vigil.


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[Assistant] Of course it has the sort of excitement about it that the sportsman feels when he lies beside the water-course and waits for the big game.


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[Assistant] It was very long, though—almost as long, Watson, as when you and I waited in that deadly room when we looked into the little problem of the speckled band.


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[Assistant] There was a church clock down at Woking which struck the quarters, and I thought more than once that it had stopped.


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[Assistant] At last, however, about two in the morning, I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back, and the creaking of a key.


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[Assistant] A moment later the servants door was opened.


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[Assistant] He was bare-headed, but he had a black coat thrown over his shoulder so that he could conceal his face in an instant if there were any alarm. He walked on tiptoe under the shadow of the wall,


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[Assistant] And when he reached the window he worked a long bladed knife through the sash and pushed back the catch.


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[Assistant] Then he flung open the window and putting his knife through the crack in the shutters he thrust the bar up and swung them open.


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[Assistant] From where I lay I had a perfect view of the inside of the room and of every one of his movements.


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[Assistant] He lit the two candles which stood upon the mantelpiece, and then he proceeded to turn back the corner of the carpet in the neighbourhood of the door.


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[Assistant] Presently he stopped and picked out a square piece of board, such as is usually left to enable plumbers to get at the joints of the gas pipes.


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[Assistant] This one covered, as a matter of fact, the T-joint which gives off the pipe which supplies the kitchen underneath.


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[Assistant] Out of this hiding place he drew that little cylinder of paper, pushed down the board, rearranged the carpet, blew out the candles, and walked straight into my arms as I stood waiting for him outside the window.


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[Assistant] Well, he has rather more viciousness than I gave him credit for, has Master Joseph.


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[Assistant] He flew at me with his knife, and I had to grasp him twice and got a cut over the knuckles before I had the upper hand of him.


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[Assistant] He looked murder out of the only eye he could see with, when we had finished, but he listened to reason and gave up the papers.


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[Assistant] Having got them I let my man go, but I wired full particulars to Forbes this morning.


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[Assistant] If he is quick enough to catch his bird, well and good, but if, as I shrewdly suspect, he finds the nest empty before he gets there, why, all the better for the Government. I fancy that Lord Holthurst for one, and Mr. Percy Phelps for another, would very much rather that the affair never got as far as a police-court.


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[Assistant] My God," gasped our client, do you tell me that during these long ten weeks of agony the stolen papers were within the very room with me all the time? So it was.


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[Assistant] Hmm, I'm afraid Joseph's character is a rather deeper and more dangerous one than one might judge from his appearance.


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[Assistant] From what I have heard from him this morning, I gather that he has lost heavily in dabbling with stocks, and that he is ready to do anything on earth to better his fortunes. Being an absolutely selfish man, when a chance presented itself he did not allow either his sister's happiness or your reputation to hold his hand." Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. "'My head whirls,' said he. "'Your words have dazed me.'


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[Assistant] The principal difficulty in your case, remarked Holmes, in his didactic fashion, lay in the fact there being too much evidence. What was vital was overlaid and hidden by what was irrelevant.


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[Assistant] Of all the facts which were presented to us we had to pick just those which we deemed to be essential, and then piece them together in their order, so as to reconstruct this very remarkable chain of events.


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[Assistant] I had already begun to suspect Joseph from the fact that you had intended to travel home with him that night, and that therefore it was a likely enough thing that he should call for you, knowing the Foreign Office well upon his way.


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[Assistant] When I heard that some one had been so anxious to get into the bedroom, in which no one but Joseph could have concealed anything, you told us in your narrative how you had turned Joseph out when you arrived with the doctor, my suspicions all changed to certainties, especially as the attempt was made on the first night upon which the nurse was absent,


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[Assistant] Showing that the intruder was well acquainted with the ways of the house.


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[Assistant] The facts of the case as far as I have worked them out are these. This Joseph Harrison entered the office through the Charles Street door, and knowing his way, he walked straight into your room, the instant after you left it.


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[Assistant] Finding no one there, he promptly rang the bell, and at the instant that he did so, his eyes caught the paper upon the table.


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[Assistant] A glance showed him that chance had put in his way a state document of immense value


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[Assistant] And in an instant he had thrusted into his pocket and was gone.


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[Assistant] A few minutes elapsed, as you remember, before the sleepy commissioner drew your attention to the bell.


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[Assistant] And those were just enough to give the thief time to make his escape


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[Assistant] He made his way to Woking by the first train, and having examined his booty and assured himself that it really was of immense value,


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[Assistant] He had concealed it in what he thought was a very safe place, with the intention of taking it out again in a day or two, and carrying it to the French Embassy, or wherever he thought that a long price was to be had.


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[Assistant] He, without a moment's warning, was bundled out of his room, and from that time onward there were always at least two of you there to prevent him from regaining his treasure. The situation to him must have been a maddening one.


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[Assistant] But at last he thought he saw his chance. He tried to steal in, but was baffled by your wakefulness.


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[Assistant] You remember that you did not take your usual draught that night. I remember.


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[Assistant] I fancy that he had taken steps to make that draft efficacious, and that he quite relied upon you being unconscious.


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[Assistant] Of course, I understood that you would repeat the attempt whenever it could be done with safety.


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[Assistant] Your leaving the room gave him the chance he wanted.


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[Assistant] I kept Miss Harrison in it all day so that he might not anticipate us. Then, having given him the idea that the coast was clear, I kept guard as I have described.


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[Assistant] I already knew that the papers were probably in the room, but I had no desire to rip up all the planking and skirting in search of them.


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[Assistant] I let him take them therefore from the hiding place, and so save myself an infinity of trouble. Is there any other point which I can make clear?


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[Assistant] Why did he try the window on the first occasion, I asked, when he might have entered by the door?


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[Assistant] In reaching the door he would have to pass seven bedrooms. On the other hand he could get out onto the lawn with ease. Anything else?


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[Assistant] You do not think, asked Phelps, that he had any murderous intention? The knife was only meant as a tool.


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[Assistant] It may be so, answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders.


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[Assistant] I actually didn't have the flu. I had COVID, and it sucked. But...


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[Assistant] From this point onward I will follow the course of events by transcribing my own letters to Mr Sherlock Holmes, which lie before me on the table. One page is missing.


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[Assistant] But otherwise they are exactly as written, and show my feelings and suspicions of the moment more accurately than my memory, clear as it is upon these tragic events, can possibly do.


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[Assistant] My previous letters and telegrams have kept you pretty well up to date as to all that has occurred in this most God-forsaken corner of the world.


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[Assistant] The longer one stays here the more does the spirit of the moor sink into one's soul.


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[Assistant] When you are once out upon its bosom you have left all traces of modern England behind you, but on the other hand you are conscious everywhere of the homes and the work of the prehistoric people.


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[Assistant] On all sides of you, as you walk, are the houses of these forgotten folk, with their graves and the huge monoliths which are supposed to have marked their temples.


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[Assistant] As you look at their grey-stone huts against the scarred hillsides, you leave your own age behind you, and if you were to see a skin-clad, hairy man crawl out from the low door fitting a flint-tipped arrow onto the string of his bow, you would feel that his presence there was more natural than your own.


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[Assistant] The strange thing is that they should have lived so thickly on what must have always been most unfruitful soil.


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[Assistant] I am no antiquarian, but I could imagine that they were some unwallike and harried race who were forced to accept that which none other would occupy.


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[Assistant] All this, however, is for enter the mission on which you sent me, and will probably be very uninteresting to your severely practical mind.


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[Assistant] I can still remember your complete indifference as to whether the sun moved round the earth, or the earth round the sun. Let me therefore return to the facts concerning Sir Henry Baskerville.


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[Assistant] If you have not had any report within the last few days, it is because up to today there was nothing of importance to relate.


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[Assistant] Then a very surprising circumstance occurred, which I shall tell you in due course.


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[Assistant] There is strong reason now to believe that he has got right away.


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[Assistant] Which is a considerable relief to the lonely householders of this district.


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[Assistant] A fortnight has passed since his flight, during which he has not been seen, and nothing has been heard of him.


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[Assistant] It is surely inconceivable that you could have held out upon them more during all that time.


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[Assistant] Of course, so far as his concealment goes, there is no difficulty at all.


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[Assistant] Any one of these stone huts would give him a hiding place.


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[Assistant] But there's nothing to eat, unless you were to catch and slaughter one of the more sheep.


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[Assistant] We think therefore that he's gone, and the outlying farmers sleep the better in consequence.


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[Assistant] We are four able-bodied men in this household so that we could take good care of ourselves, but I confess that I have had uneasy moments when I have thought of the Stapletons. They live miles from any help.


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[Assistant] There are one maid, an old manservant, the sister and the brother, the latter not a very strong man.


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[Assistant] They would be helpless in the hands of a desperate fellow like this Notting Hill criminal if he could once effect an entrance.


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[Assistant] Both Sir Henry and I were concerned at their situation.


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[Assistant] And it was suggested that Perkins, the groom, should go over to sleep there, but Stapleton would not hear of it.


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[Assistant] The fact is that our friend the Baronet begins to display a considerable interest in our fair neighbour.


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[Assistant] It is not to be wondered at, for time hangs heavily in this lonely spot to an active man like him, and she is a very fascinating and beautiful woman.


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[Assistant] There is something tropical and exotic about her which forms a singular contrast to her cool and unemotional brother. Yet he also gives the idea of hidden fires.


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[Assistant] He has certainly a very marked influence over her, for I have seen her continually glance at him as she talked, as if seeking approbation for what she said.


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[Assistant] I trust that he is kind to her. There is a dry glitter in his eyes and a firm set of his thin lips, which goes with a positive and possibly a harsh nature. You would find him an interesting study.


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[Assistant] He came over to call upon Baskerville on that first day, and the very next morning he took us both to show us the spot where the legend of the wicked Hugo is supposed to have had its origin.


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[Assistant] It was an excursion of some miles across the moor to a place which is so dismal that it might have suggested the story.


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[Assistant] We found a short valley between rugged tors, which led to an open grassy space, flecked over with the white cotton grass.


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[Assistant] In the middle of it rose two great stones, worn and sharpened at the upper end until they looked like the huge corroding fangs of some monstrous beast.


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[Assistant] In every way it corresponded with the scene of the old tragedy


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[Assistant] Sir Henry was much interested, and asked Stapleton more than once whether he did really believe in the possibility of the interference of the supernatural in the affairs of men. He spoke lightly, but it was evident that he was very much in earnest.


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[Assistant] Stapleton was guarded in his replies, but it was easy to see that he said less than he might, and that he would not express his whole opinion out of consideration for the feelings of the baronet.


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[Assistant] He told us of similar cases, where families had suffered from some evil influence, and he left us with the impression that he shared the popular view upon the matter.


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[Assistant] On our way back we stayed for lunch at Marypitt House, and it was there that Sir Henry made the acquaintance of Miss Stapleton.


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[Assistant] From the first moment that he saw her he appeared to be strongly attracted by her, and I am much mistaken if the feeling was not mutual.


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[Assistant] He referred to her again and again on our walk home, and since then hardly a day has passed that we have not seen something of the brother and sister.


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[Assistant] They dine here tonight, and there is some talk of our going to them next week.


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[Assistant] One would imagine that such a match would be very welcome to Stapleton.


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[Assistant] And yet I have more than once caught a look of the strongest disapprobation in his face when Sir Henry has been paying some attention to his sister.


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[Assistant] He is much attached to her, no doubt, and would lead a lonely life without her.


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[Assistant] But it would seem the height of selfishness if he were to stand in the way of her making so brilliant a marriage.


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[Assistant] Yet I am certain that he does not wish their intimacy to ripen into love.


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[Assistant] And I have several times observed that he has taken pains to prevent them from being tet-a-tet.


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[Assistant] By the way, your instructions to me never to allow Sir Henry to go out alone will become very much more onerous if a love affair were to be added to our other difficulties.


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[Assistant] My popularity would soon suffer if I were to carry out your orders to the letter.


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[Assistant] The other day—Thursday, to be more exact—Dr Mortimer lunched with us. He has been excavating a barrow at Long Down, and has got a prehistoric skull which fills him with great joy.


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[Assistant] Never was there such a single minded enthusiast as he.


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[Assistant] The Stapletons came in afterwards, when the good doctor took us all to the Yew Alley at Sir Henry's request, to show us exactly how everything occurred upon that fatal night.


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[Assistant] It is a long, dismal walk, the Uali, between two high walls of clipped hedge, with a narrow band of grass upon either side.


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[Assistant] At the far end is an old tumbledown summer house.


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[Assistant] Halfway down is the moor gate, where the old gentleman left his cigar ash. It is a white wooden gate with a latch. Beyond it lies the wide moor.


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[Assistant] I remembered your theory of the affair, and tried to picture all that had occurred. As the old man stood there, he saw something coming across the moor, something which terrified him so that he lost his wits, and ran and ran until he died of sheer horror and exhaustion.


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[Assistant] Did the pale watchful Barrymore know more than he cared to say? It was all dim and vague


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[Assistant] But always there is a dark shadow of crime behind it.


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[Assistant] One other neighbour I have met since I wrote last, this is Mr. Franklin of Lafter Hall, who lives some four miles to the south of us. He is an elderly man, red-faced, white-haired, and choleric. His passion is for the British law, and he has spent a large fortune in litigation.


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[Assistant] He fights for the mere pleasure of fighting, and is equally ready to take up either side of a question, so that it is no wonder that he has found it a costly amusement.


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[Assistant] Sometimes he will shut up a right of way and defy the parish to make him open it.


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[Assistant] At others he will with his own hands tear down some other man's gate


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[Assistant] And declare that a path existed there from time immemorial, defying the owner to prosecute him for trespass.


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[Assistant] He is learned in old manorial and communal rites, and he applies his knowledge sometimes in favour of the villagers of Fernworthy, and sometimes against them, so that he is periodically either carried in triumph down the village street, or else burned in effigy, according to his latest exploit.


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[Assistant] He is said to have about seven lawsuits upon his hands at present, which will probably swallow up the remainder of his fortune, and so draw his sting and leave him harmless for the future.


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[Assistant] Apart from the law he seems a kindly, good-natured person, and I only mention him because you were particular that I should send some description of the people who surround us. He is curiously employed at present.


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[Assistant] For, being an amateur astronomer, he has an excellent telescope with which he lies upon the roof of his own house and sweeps the moor all day in the hope of catching a glimpse of the escaped convict.


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[Assistant] If he would confine his energies to this, all would be well.


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[Assistant] But there are rumours that he intends to prosecute Dr Mortimer for opening a grave without the consent of the next of kin, because he dug up the Neolithic skull in the Barrow on Longdown.


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[Assistant] He helps to keep our lives from being monotonous and gives a little comic relief where it is badly needed.


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[Assistant] And now, having brought you up to date in The Escaped Convict, The Stapletons, Dr Mortimer, and Franklin of Lafter Hall,


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[Assistant] Let me end on that which is most important and tell you more about the Barrymores, and especially about the surprising development of last night.


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[Assistant] First of all about the test telegram which you sent from London in order to make sure that Barrymore was really here.


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[Assistant] I have already explained that the testimony of the postmaster shows that the test was worthless, and that we have no proof one way or the other.


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[Assistant] I told Sir Henry how the matter stood, and he at once in his downright fashion had Barrymore up and asked him whether he had received the telegram himself. Barrymore said that he had.


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[Assistant] Did the boy deliver it into your own hands? asked Sir Henry.


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[Assistant] Barrymore looked surprised and considered for a little time.


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[Assistant] In the evening he recurred to the subject of his own accord.


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[Assistant] "'I could not quite understand the object of your questions this morning, Sir Henry,' said he. "'I trust that they do not mean that I have done anything to forfeit your confidence.'


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[Assistant] Sir Henry had to assure him that it was not so, and pacify him by giving him a considerable part of his old wardrobe, the London outfit having now all arrived.


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[Assistant] Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is a heavy, solid person, very limited, intensely respectable, and inclined to be puritanical. You could hardly conceive a less emotional subject.


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[Assistant] Yet I have told you how on the first night here I heard her sobbing bitterly, and since then I have more than once observed traces of tears upon her face.


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[Assistant] Some deep sorrow gnaws ever at her heart.


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[Assistant] Sometimes I wonder if she has a guilty memory which haunts her, and sometimes I suspect Barrymore of being a domestic tyrant.


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[Assistant] I have always felt that there was something singular and questionable in this man's character, but the adventure of last night brings all my suspicions to a head. And yet it may seem a small matter in itself.


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[Assistant] You are aware that I am not very sound sleeper, and since I have been on guard in this house my slumbers have been lighter than ever. Last night, about two in the morning,


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[Assistant] I was aroused by a stealthy step passing my room.


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[Assistant] A long black shadow was trailing down the corridor. It was thrown by a man who walked softly down the passage with a candle held in his hand.


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[Assistant] He was in shirt and trousers with no covering to his feet.


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[Assistant] I could merely see the outline, but his height told me that it was Barrymore.


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[Assistant] He walked very slowly and circumspectly.


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[Assistant] There was something indescribably guilty and furtive in his whole appearance.


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[Assistant] I have told you that the corridor is broken by the balcony which runs round the hall, but that it is resumed upon the farther side.


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[Assistant] I waited until he had passed out of sight, and then I followed him.


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[Assistant] When I came round the balcony he had reached the end of the farther corridor, and I could see from the glimmer of light through an open door that he had entered one of the rooms.


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[Assistant] Now, all these rooms are unfurnished and unoccupied so that his expedition became more mysterious than ever.


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[Assistant] The light shone steadily, as if he were standing motionless.


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[Assistant] I crept down the passage as noiselessly as I could, and peeped round the corner of the door.


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[Assistant] Barrymore was crouching at the window with the candle held against the glass.


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[Assistant] His profile was half turned towards me, and his face seemed to be rigid with expectation as he stared out into the blackness of the moor. For some minutes he stood watching intently, then he gave a deep groan.


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[Assistant] And with an impatient gesture he put out the light.


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[Assistant] Instantly I made my way back to my room, and very shortly came the stealthy steps passing once more upon their return journey.


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[Assistant] Long afterwards, when I had fallen into a light sleep, I heard a key turn somewhere in a lock, but I could not tell whence the sound came.


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[Assistant] What it all means I cannot guess, but there is some secret business going on in this house of gloom, which sooner or later we shall get to the bottom of.


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[Assistant] I do not trouble you with my theories, for you ask me to furnish you only with facts.


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[Assistant] I have had a long talk with Sir Henry this morning, and we have made a plan of campaign founded upon my observations of last night. I will not speak about it just now.


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[Assistant] What hurts the most? Is it that he had an opportunity to tell you and you didn't? Is it that you saw a future and now you don't?


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[Assistant] I thought this was gone, ages ago. Why? This wasn't just for the party, this was for them to skateboard on.


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[Assistant] Chapter 5 Three Broken Threads


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[Assistant] Sherlock Holmes had in a very remarkable degree the power of detaching his mind at will.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] 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.


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


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


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[Assistant] The books show that two names have been added after that of Baskerville.


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[Assistant] One was Theophilus Johnson and family of Newcastle, the other Mrs. Oldmore and maid of High Lodge Alton.


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[Assistant] Surely that must be the same Johnson whom I used to know," said Holmes to the porter. A lawyer, is he not, grey-haired, and walks with a limp.


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[Assistant] Now, sir, this is Mr Johnson, the coal-owner, a very active gentleman, not older than yourself. Surely you are mistaken about his trade. Now, sir,


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[Assistant] He has used this hotel for many years, and he is very well known to us. Ah, that settles it.


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[Assistant] Mrs. Oldmore, too, I seem to remember the name. Excuse my curiosity, but often in calling upon one friend one finds another.


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[Assistant] She's an invalid lady, sir. Her husband was once mayor of Gloucester. She always comes to us when she's in town. Thank you. I'm afraid I cannot claim her acquaintance.


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[Assistant] We have established a most important fact by these questions, Watson.


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[Assistant] He continued in a low voice as we went upstairs together.


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[Assistant] 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. What does it suggest? It suggests


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[Assistant] Hello. My dear fellow, what on earth is the matter?


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[Assistant] As we came round the top of the stairs we'd run up against Sir Henry Baskerville himself.


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[Assistant] His face was flushed with anger, and he held an old and dusty boot in one of his hands.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] Seems to me they are playing me for a sucker in this hotel," he cried. They'll find they've started into monkey with the wrong man unless they are careful. By thunder, if that chap can't find my missing boot, there'll be trouble.


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[Assistant] I can take a joke with the best Mr. Holmes, but they've got a bit over the mark this time. Still looking for your boot? Yes sir, I'm main to find it.


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[Assistant] But surely you said that it was a new brown boot.


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[Assistant] So it was, sir, and now it's an old black one.


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[Assistant] What? You don't mean to say. 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'm wearing. Last night they took one of my brown ones, and today they have sneaked one of the black.


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[Assistant] Well, have you got it? Speak out, man, and don't stand staring.


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[Assistant] An agitated German waiter appeared upon the scene.


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[Assistant] No sir, I have made inquiry all over the hotel, but I can hear no word of it.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] It shall be found, sir. I promise you that if you'll have a little patience it will be found.


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[Assistant] Mind it is, for it's the last string of mine that I'll lose in this den of thieves.


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[Assistant] Well, well, Mr. Holmes, you'll excuse my troubling you about such a trifle. I think it's well worth troubling about. Why, you look very serious over it. How do you explain it?


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[Assistant] I just don't attempt to explain it. It seems the very maddest, queerest thing that ever happened to me. The queerest perhaps, said Holmes thoughtfully. What do you make of it yourself?


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[Assistant] Well, I don't profess to understand it yet. This case of yours is very complex, Sir Henry.


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[Assistant] When taken in conjunction with your uncle's death, I am not sure that all the five hundred cases of capital importance which I have handled, there is one which cuts so deep.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] 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. To go to Baskerville Hall. And when? At the end of the week.


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[Assistant] "'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.'


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[Assistant] If their intentions are evil they might do you mischief, and we should be powerless to prevent it.


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[Assistant] You did not know, Dr Mortimer, that you were followed this morning from my house.


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[Assistant] Dr Mortimer started violently. Followed by whom?


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[Assistant] That, unfortunately, is what I cannot tell you.


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[Assistant] We had best ascertain if he is really there, or if by any possibility he might be in London. How can you do that? Give me a telegraph form.


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[Assistant] Is all ready for Sir Henry? That will do. Address to Mr. Barrymore, Baskerville Hall. What is the nearest Telegraph office?


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[Assistant] Grimpen? Very good. We will send a second wire to the postmaster, Grimpen.


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[Assistant] Telegram to Mr Barrymore to be delivered into his own hand. If absent, please return wire to Sir Henry Buskeville, Northumberland Hotel.


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[Assistant] That should let us know before evening whether Barrymore is at his post in Devonshire or not.


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


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[Assistant] He is the son of the old caretaker, who is dead. They have looked after the hall for four generations now.


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[Assistant] 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. That is true.


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[Assistant] Did Barrymore profit at all by Sir Charles's will? asked Holmes. He and his wife had five hundred pounds each. Ha, did they know that they would receive this?


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[Assistant] Yes, Sir Charles was very fond of talking about the provisions of his will. That is very interesting.


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[Assistant] 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. Indeed. And anyone else?


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[Assistant] There were many insignificant sums to individuals, and a large number of public charities. The residue all went to Sir Henry. And how much was the residue? Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds. Holmes raised his eyebrows in surprise.


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[Assistant] I had no idea that so gigantic a sum was involved, said he.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] The total value of the estate was close on to a million.


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[Assistant] Dear me, it is a stake for which a man might well play a desperate game. And one more question, Dr. Mortimer.


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[Assistant] Supposing that anything happened to our young friend here.


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[Assistant] You'll forgive the unpleasant hypothesis. Who would inherit the estate?


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[Assistant] Since Roger Baskerville, Sir Charles's youngest brother, died unmarried, the estate would descend to the Desmonds, who were distant cousins. James Desmond is an elderly clergyman in Westmoreland. Thank you. These details are all of great interest. Have you met Mr. James Desmond?


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[Assistant] 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 prested upon him.


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


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[Assistant] He would be the heir to the estate, because that is entailed.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] No, Mr. Holmes, I have not. I've had no time, for it was only yesterday that I learned how matters stood.


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[Assistant] But in any case, I feel that the money should go with the title and estate. That was my poor uncle's idea.


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[Assistant] 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. Quite so.


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[Assistant] Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind with you as to the advisability of you going down to Devonshire without delay. There is only one provision which I must make. You certainly must not go alone. Dr. Mortimer returns with me.


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[Assistant] But Dr Mortimer has his practice to attend to, and his house is miles away from yours.


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[Assistant] With all the goodwill in the world, he may be unable to help you.


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[Assistant] Now, Sir Henry, you must take with you someone, a trusty man, who will be always by your side.


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[Assistant] Is it possible that you could come yourself, Mr. Holmes?


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[Assistant] If matters came to a crisis, I should endeavor to be present in person.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] 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. Whom would you recommend, then? Holmes laid his hand upon my arm.


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[Assistant] 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 more confidently than I. The proposition took me completely by surprise.


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[Assistant] But before I had time to answer, Baskerville seized me by the hand and wrung it heartily.


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[Assistant] Well now, that is real kind of you, Dr. Watson," said he.


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[Assistant] 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. The promise of adventure had always a fascination for me.


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[Assistant] And I was complimented by the words of Holmes and by the eagerness with which the baronet hailed me as a companion. I'll come with pleasure, said I. I do not know how I could employ my time better.


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[Assistant] 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. With that suit, Dr. Watson? Perfectly.


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[Assistant] Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the contrary, we shall meet at the 10.30 train from Paddington.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] May all our difficulties vanish as easily, said Sherlock Holmes.


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


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[Assistant] In that case, the waiter must have placed it there while we were lunching.


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[Assistant] The German was sent for, but professed to know nothing of the matter, nor could any inquiry clear it up.


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[Assistant] 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


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] Home 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.


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[Assistant] All afternoon and late into the evening he sat lost in tobacco and thought. Just before dinner two telegrams were handed in.


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[Assistant] The first ran, Have just heard that Barrymore is at the hall, Baskerville. The second,


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[Assistant] Visited 23 hotels as directed.


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[Assistant] But sorry to report unable to trace cut sheet of times. Cartwright


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[Assistant] There go two of my threads, Watson. There is nothing more stimulating than a case where everything goes against you. We must cuss around for another cent. We still have the cabman who drove the spy.


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[Assistant] Exactly. I have wired to get his name and address from the official registry. I should not be surprised if this were an answer to my question.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] I got a message from the head office that a gent at this address had been inquiring for number 2704," said he.


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[Assistant] I've driven my cab this seven years and never a word of complaint.


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[Assistant] I came here straight from the yard to ask you to your face what you had against me.


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[Assistant] I have nothing in the world against you, my good man," said Holmes.


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[Assistant] On the contrary, I have half a sovereign for you if you will give me a clear answer to my questions.


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


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[Assistant] First of all, your name and address, in case I want you again.


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[Assistant] John Clayton, Three Turpie Street, The Borough. My cab is out of Shipley's Yard near Waterloo Station. Sherlock Holmes made a note of it. Now, Clayton,


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[Assistant] Tell me all about the fair who came and watched this house at ten o'clock this morning, and afterwards followed the two gentlemen down Regent Street. The man looked surprised and a little embarrassed.


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[Assistant] Why, there's no good my telling you things, for you seem to know as much as I do already," said he.


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[Assistant] The truth is that the gentleman told me that he was a detective, and I was to say nothing about him to anyone.


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[Assistant] 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 fair told you that he was a detective. Yes, he did. When did he say this? When he left me. Did he say anything more? He mentioned his name. Holmes cast a swift glance of triumph at me. Oh, he mentioned his name, did he? That was imprudent.


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[Assistant] What was the name that he mentioned? His name, said the cabman, was Mr Sherlock Holmes.


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[Assistant] Never have I seen my friend more completely taken aback than by the cabman's reply.


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[Assistant] For an instant he sat in silent amazement.


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[Assistant] 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? Yes, sir, that was the gentleman's name. Excellent! Tell me where you picked him up and all that occurred.


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[Assistant] He ailed 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.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] We followed their cab until it pulled up somewhere near here.


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[Assistant] Well, I couldn't be sure of that, but I daresay my fare knew all about it. We pulled up half-way 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—I know, said Holmes—until we got three-quarters down Regent Street.


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[Assistant] And my gentleman threw up the trap and he cried that I should drive right away to Waterloo station as hard as I could go.


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[Assistant] 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,


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[Assistant] It might interest you to know that you've been driving Mr. Sherlock Holmes. That's how I came to know the name. I see, and you saw no more of him? Not after he went into the station.


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[Assistant] And how would you describe Mr. Sherlock Holmes? The cadman scratched his head.


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[Assistant] Well, he wasn't altogether such an easy gentleman to describe. I put him at forty years of age, and he was of a middle-ight, two or three inches shorter than you, sir.


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[Assistant] 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 any more than that. Colour of his eyes? No, I can't say that. Nothing more that you can remember? No, sir, nothing. Well, then, here is your half-sovereign.


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[Assistant] There's another one waiting for you if you can bring any more information. Good night. Good night sir, and thank you.


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


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[Assistant] Snap goes our third thread, and we end where we began, said he, a cunning rascal.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] I tell you, Watson, this time we have got a faux man who is worthy of our steel. I have been checkmated in London. I can only wish you better luck in Devonshire, but I am not easy in my mind about it. About what? About sending you


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[Assistant] It's an ugly business, Watson, an ugly dangerous business, and the more I see of it the less I like it.


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[Assistant] 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.


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[Assistant] It does sound like that, doesn't it? But there isn't anybody down there.


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[Assistant] What you're hearing is actually just my voice.


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[Assistant] Maybe even as far as the clouds.


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[Assistant] Speaking of far away things, we still have a long journey home. We should set off before it starts getting dark.


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[Assistant] Oh shit, is Scott, like what's Scott gonna say? That's like, I understand that that's a normal thought.


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[Assistant] You being able to come out of that place in your life, I don't wanna harp on this storyline anymore. Like it's done. It's all-


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[Assistant] 110%. Like I started writing my speech for your wedding like literally two years ago.


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[Assistant] It's just so many kids. Hey girl!


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[Assistant] Kendall's a wild driver. Okay, bye.


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[Assistant] I am so excited to be an aunt again. I mean, I just have so many nieces and nephews at this point. But it's always exciting. It's always exciting to like, meet a new little personality and like, see who they become. It's always really cool. Oh my god, being in a baby store.


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[Assistant] Feels real, for me, these days. Wah.


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[Assistant] I know. The standards. I do have standards. Good. And I will hold myself to them 100%. But!


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[Assistant] How are you and yeaah? He walked out on SNL mid-monologue. So I haven't talked to him since. No way. You guys, it's happening.


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[Assistant] Oh, very nice little redwood fox. I can see your tail is very special too.


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[Assistant] I see what you mean. Your friends have very special long tails. But your tail is special too.


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[Assistant] Little Field Mouse, would you mind running over there and waiting for a moment?


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[Assistant] You know, we put extra C in your IV just because of the COVID.


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[Assistant] NAD multiple days in a row is fine.


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[Assistant] You immediately attacked me and I was like, oh I don't like this.


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[Assistant] That's bullshit! Nathan is the fucking serial killer! We saw the proof! Now excuse me, I'm going to that party to make sure he never hurts anybody again. Are you coming?


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[Assistant] If we tell David, he'll believe us and he can actually stop him. Right?


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[Assistant] I believe you, Max. After all, I'm still your faithful companion.


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[Assistant] Oh shit, look at Mac spying on us. Take a fucking picture, bitch. Or take a selfie.


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[Assistant] See? This is how you bust a move, Max. No mosh pit for you, shock-a-bra. Damn, Victoria. You're a real woman. Not a little girl like Max.


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[Assistant] Dude, do not even fuck with her head! She knows what we went through together this week, and you don't! There's no way you can break up our team! This is reality!


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[Assistant] Why didn't you invite me to your birthday? I didn't really invite anyone to my birthday. She didn't have a birthday dinner. I had a birthday dinner, mom.


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[Assistant] She talks to different basketball players, and you're just the next one, and I was like, I said, listen here man, enjoy the game with your girl, because she's coming here to see me.


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[Assistant] I said, yeah, you're not going to keep talking about my family like that, so.


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[Assistant] You have a photo of every time we've done this? Yea. Oh my god. He, he takes a photo every single time. Oh, look at this photo call. Look at that.


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[Assistant] Does it look good? Yes. It's the first time we've had it. So remember he was 12?


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[Assistant] Alright, so let's go ahead and run through the solution. The first thing I'm going to do is to head over to the website and download the template.


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[Assistant] Once I've downloaded the template, I'm going to unzip the file and get access to all the files inside.


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[Assistant] Now I've already set up my Flask server, which is pretty simple by now. I've created my app, I've set up the home route and I've set my app to run on debug mode.


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[Assistant] Now I have to create the necessary directories. So I'm going to need a directory called templates, and I'm also going to need one called static.


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[Assistant] With those two folders in place, I can now start moving over the relevant parts of these files. Index.HTML goes into templates.


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[Assistant] Now one of the first things we're going to try and do is just to see if this works. So we're going to start up our server and try to render that index.HTML.


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[Assistant] And if you've got another project running in the background, which is using up our server address, then you're going to get an error that says address already in use. So just make sure you stop any other files from running and then run this again.


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[Assistant] So here's our webpage with just the HTML. It's very, very simple and it doesn't have any of the styling or the images.


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[Assistant] I'm figuring out which parts of it need to be changed.


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[Assistant] Now notice that in the download, we got two folders, assets and images, which are now both inside static. So we're going to have to find and replace anything that is assets and change that to static slash assets.


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[Assistant] There's actually not a lot of code in here. You can pretty much scroll from the top to the bottom and you can see there's not a lot of stuff here. So now that we fixed those paths, let's see if we can hit save and go back to refresh our website.


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[Assistant] Now, if you're getting what I'm seeing here, which is the CSS file being rendered from the previous project where we got hold of the portfolio site,


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[Assistant] That remember is because the CSS file is a static file and it's being cached by the Chrome browser. So as I mentioned before, you have to hold down shift.


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[Assistant] And hit refresh in order to get the new static files to come over.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] So now that we've got all of this, it's time to actually edit the text and the links. Going into here, we can see that here is the H1, which we can change quite easily.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] And you can of course add your hrefs to these links for Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, copy your Twitter URL.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] And change the href here to that if you wish. And you can change the footer as well.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] Now remember, because we didn't buy these templates and we're using it for personal use, we should really attribute the source where we got it from. So I'll just leave that as it is.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] Now if I hit save, you can see I've pretty much updated all the text to what I want.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] And you can see that this avatar image has disappeared. And the reason is because when I was doing the finding and replacing, I wasn't careful enough and I didn't add in the final trailing slash, which should in fact be right here. So,


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] This is going to now render the avatar image, but of course at the moment it's just this blank gradient image inside the images folder.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] So what we can do is we can simply replace it with our own image.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] So here in my downloads folder, I've got an image called Angela.png. So I'm going to move my own image into the images folder and refactor that.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] And then back in our index.html, I'm going to point towards that image by changing this file path.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] And if I hit save and go back to my website,


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] You can see my photo now shows up inside the image.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] The next thing I want to add is a background image under this gradient here. So one of the best places to find great images for commercial use is a website called Unsplash.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] So if we look for some sort of image that we could put as the background,


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] You can see there's thousands of images that you can choose from and they all look incredibly beautiful and they're all large, all HD.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] I've decided to go with this picture of the seashore and if I go ahead and click on download free.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] It should download the large jpeg image onto my computer.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] So now I'm going to go ahead and rename that image to the same name as the original background image, which is just bg.jpg.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] Like that. And now I can delete this file and replace it with my own background.


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] So remember that the background image here is actually being rendered from the CSS files. And if you look inside the main.css,


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] You can see here where it sets the background image, it's actually generating a gradient and it's overlaying that on top of


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] Something inside the images folder called bg.jpeg. So instead of changing it all over here,


[User] Please transcribe this text

[Assistant] All we just did is just name our image the same as what they had before.