The St. Louis Republic., 1902-10-05
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES66 66Y6NiNDou

STILL the creature had probably approached
10 sniffie at him. but finding him dead had
turned away again II was then that Il
left the print which was actually observed
by Doctor Mortimer. The hound was called
of and hurried to its lair in the Grimpen
AIire. and a mystery was left which puz-
zled the authorities. alarmed the country
side. and finally brought the case within the
scope OF our observation.
So much for the death OF Sir Charles
Baskerville You perceive the deyilish cum
ming OF it, for really II would be almost i'm
possible to make case against the real
murderer. His only accOmpllce was one
who could never give him away, and the
grotesque, inconceivable nature Of the de-
vice only served to make Il msre effective.
Both OF the women concerned in the case.
Mrs Stapleton and Mrs. Laura Lyons. were
Left with a strong suspicion against Staple
ton. Mrs. Stapleton knew that he had de-
signs upon the old man. and also OF the ex-
istence OF the hound Mrs. Lyons knew
neither OF these things. but had been Inn
pressed by the death occurring at the time
OF an uncanceiled appointment which was
only known 20 him. However, both Of
them were under his influence. and he had
nothing 10 fear from them, The first half
OF his task was successfully accomplished,
but the moro difficult stil remained.
II is possible that Stapleton did not
know OF the existence OF an heir in Canada
III any CdSe ne NoliQ very soon learn II
from his friend Doctor Mortimer, and he
was told by the latter all details about the
arrival OF Henry Baskerville. Stapleton's
nrst idea was that this young stranger
from Canada might possibly be done 10
death in London without coming down TO
DevonshiTe at all. He distrusted his wife
ever since she had refused TO help him
IN laying a trap for the old man. and he
dared not leave her long out of his sight
for fear he should lose his influence over
her II was for this reason that he took
her 10 London with him. They lodged,
ma, al the Mexborough Private Hotel. in
Craven street. which vas actually one OF
those called upon by my agent In search Of
evidence. Here he kept hi- wife imprisoned
in her room. while he. disguised in a beard
followed Doctor Mortimer 10 Baker street
and afterwards to the station and TO the
Northumberland hotel. His wife had some
inkling OF his plans; but she had such a
fear OF her husband-a fear founded upon
brutal ill-treatment-that she dare not write
to warn the man whom she knew TO be in
danger. II the letter should fail into
Stapleton's hands her own life would not
be safe. Eventually. as we know. she
adopted the expedient OF cutting out the
words which would form the message, and
addressing the letter in a disguised hand.
II reached the baronet. and gave him the
first warning or his danger
/" 1t was very essential for stapleton TO
6St some arlcle OF Sir Henry's attire 50
that. in case he was driven to use the dog.
ne might always have the means Of setting
MN upon his track With Characteristic
promptness and audacity he set about this
az once and We cannot doubt that the boots
or chambermaid of the hotel wsB weil
eribed TO help him in his design. BY chance,
however the first boot which was procured
lor MN was new one and. therefore, use
less for his purpose. He then had It re-
turned and obtained another-a yDosf In
structive incident, since II proved eonclu-
Siyely. to my mind that we were dealing
with real hound. as no other superstition
could explain this anxiety TO obtain an old
boot and this indifference TO a new one. The
more outre and grotesQue an Incident Is
the more carefully, 81 deserves 20 be ex-
piasineds and ths fvety point ,Whieh appears