The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-21

boot which was procured for him was I
new one and. therefore, useless for his |
purpose. He then had it returned and
obtained another-a most instructive in
cident. since it proved conclusively to my
mind that we were dealing with real
hound, as no other supposition could ex-
plain this anxiety to obtain an old boot
and this Indifference to a new one. Inc
more outre and grotesque an incident Is
the more carefully it deserves to be eN-
amined. and the very point which ap-
pears to complicate a case is. when duly
considered and scientifically handled, the
one which is most likely to elucidate 1t.
Then we had the visit from our friends
next morning, Swallowed always oy sta
pleton in the cab. From his knowledge
of our rooms and of my appearance, as
well from his general conduct. am
inclined to think that Stapleton's career
of crime has been by no means limited
to this single Baskerville affair.
It is suggestive that during the last
three wears there have been four con-
siderable barglares in the West Country.
for none of which any criminal was ar
rested The last of these, at Folkesto1e
Court. in May was remarkable for the
cold looded pistoling of the page who
surprised the masked and solitary bur
glar I cannot doubt that Stapleton re-
cruited his waning resources in this fash
ion, and that for years he has been
desperate and dangerous man.
1--WE had an example Of his readiness
of resource that morning when he got
away from us so successfully. and also
OF his audacity in sending back my own
name to me through the cabman. From
~ hot bod
taken over the case in London. and that
therefore there was no chance for him.
there. He returned to Dartmoor and
awaited the arrival of the baronet.
Zone moment" said I. You have. no
doubt. described the sequence of events
correctly. but there is one point which
you have left unexplained. What became
of the hound when its master was in
London?'
az have given some attention to this
matter and it isundoubtedly of import
ance. There can be no question that
Stapleton had a confdant. though it is
unlikely that he ever placed himself in
his power by sharing all his plans with
him. There was an old manservant at
Merripit House. whose name was An
thorv. His connection with the Staple
tons can be traced for several years. as
SO that he must have been aware that
his master and mistress were really hus-
band and wife. This man has disap-
peared and has escaped from the cpun
try It is suggestive that Anthony Is
| not a common name in England, while
| Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish
| American countries. The man. like Mrs.
| Stapleton herself. spoke good English. but
| with curious lspns accent l have
| myself seen this old man cross the Grim
| pen Mire by the path which Stapleton
had marked out It is very probab BILE
| therefore. that in the absence of his
! master it was he who cared for the
| hound though he may never have known
the purpose for which the beast was
| used.
The stapIetons then went down to De-
vonshire, whittier they were soon follow
ed by Sir Henry and you. One word no"
as to how stood myself at
| that time It may possibly re-
| cur to your memory that when
bly, recur to your memory that when
| examined the paper upon which the
| printed words were fastened 1 made 4
close inspection for the water-mark. In
doing so I held it within a. few inches of
| nv eyes. and was conscious of faint
smell of the scent known as white jes-
Samine There are SeEenty-flFe perfumes
which it is very necessary that a crimina
| expert should be able to distinguish from
| each other and cases have more thar
! once within my own experience depended
upon their prompt recognition. The
scent suggested the presence of a
lady. and already my thoughts be-
gan to turn towards the Stapletons. Thus
| ! had made certain of the hound. and
had guessed at the criminal before even
we went to the West country
TT was my game to watch Stapieton-
It was evident however. that 1 could not
do this if were with you, since he would
he Eeenlv on his guard | deceived every
hody. therefore yourself included, and
came down secretly when l was supposed
to be in London. My hardshps were not
SC great as you imagined though snch
trifIjng details must never interfere VIII
the investigation OF n case stayed loI
the most part at CooHlpe tracey. arc
o-.1y used the hut upon the moor when ii
p.as necessary to be near the scene of ac-
tiC, Cartwright had come down with
M, and in his disguise as a. country boy
he was of great assistance to me- l was
tnnendent upon him for food and clean
linen When T was watching Stapleton
Csrtwricht was frequently watching you
u sn that I was able to keep my hand upon
all the strings.
II have already told YOU that your re-
rort. reached me rapidly. being forwarded
instantly from Baker Street to Coombe
rracey. They were of great service to
me- and especially that one incidentally
truthful piece of biography of Stapleton,s $.
I vas able to establish the identity OF