Broken

e had been involved appeared to be forgotten, and he was entirely absorbed in the pictures of the modern Belgian masters. He would talk

cting you," said the clerk. "He asked m

to my looking at your

n the

Baskerville. One was Theophilus Johnson and family, of Newca

d to know," said Holmes to the porter. "A lawyer

he coal-owner, a very active gen

e mistaken abo

hotel for many years, and h

o remember the name. Excuse my curiosity, but oft

and was once mayor of Gloucester. She

ice as we went upstairs together. "We know now that the people who are so interested in our friend have not settled down in his own hotel. That means th

oes it

y dear fellow, what on

anger, and he held an old and dusty boot in one of his hands. So furious was he that he was hardly articulate, and w

monkey with the wrong man unless they are careful. By thunder, if that chap can't find my missing boot there

king for y

and mean

said that it was

And now it's an

don't mea

, and the patent leathers, which I am wearing. Last night they took one of my brown ones, and to-day

waiter had appear

iry all over the hotel, bu

undown or I'll see the manager and tell him

e you that if you will have a li

l lose in this den of thieves. Well, well, Mr. Holmes

well worth tro

ok very seri

you expl

. It seems the very maddest, queere

haps--" said Holm

u make of i

hat of all the five hundred cases of capital importance which I have handled there is one which cuts so deep. But we hold several threads in our hands, and t

had brought us together. It was in the private sitting-room to which we

Baskervi

d w

end of t

millions of this great city it is difficult to discover who these people are or what their object can be. If their intentions are evil they migh

er started

wed! B

. Have you among your neighbours or acquaintanc

rymore, Sir Charles's butler, is

re is Ba

charge of

really there, or if by any pos

n you d

rimpen. Very good, we will send a second wire to the postmaster, Grimpen: 'Telegram to Mr. Barrymore to be delivered into his own hand. If absent, please

. "By the way, Dr. Mortimer,

ed after the Hall for four generations now. So far as I know, he

that so long as there are none of the family at the Hal

is t

at all by Sir Charles'

e had five hund

ow that they wou

y fond of talking about t

very inte

uspicious eyes upon everyone who received a legacy from S

And any

ividuals, and a large number of public cha

uch was th

and forty tho

prise. "I had no idea that so gig

know how very rich he was until we came to examine his securit

more question, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing that anything happened to our young frien

arried, the estate would descend to the Desmonds, who are distant

e all of great interest. Hav

le appearance and of saintly life. I remember that he refused to acc

astes would be the heir t

uld also be the heir to the money unless it were willed otherwise b

made your wi

feel that the money should go with the title and estate. That was my poor uncle's idea. How is the owner going to restore t

sability of your going down to Devonshire without delay. There is on

mer return

ours. With all the good will in the world he may be unable to help you. No, Sir Hen

t you could come yo

t appeals which reach me from many quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent from London for an indefinite time. At the present instant one of the most rev

you recomm

his hand u

s better worth having at your side when you are in a t

e, but before I had time to answer, Baskervil

t is with me, and you know just as much about the matter as I do. If you w

and I was complimented by the words of Holmes and by the

said I. "I do not know how I

When a crisis comes, as it will do, I will direct how you

at suit D

fect

to the contrary, we shall meet at

of triumph, and diving into one of the corners of

ng boot!"

ies vanish as easily!"

Dr. Mortimer remarked. "I searche

aid Baskerville.

rtainly no bo

must have placed it there

e had a line of inexplicable incidents all within the limits of two days, which included the receipt of the printed letter, the black-bearded spy in the hansom, the loss of the new brown boot, the loss of the old black boot, and now the return of the new brown boot. Holmes sat in silence in the cab as we

o telegrams were hand

rrymore is at the Hall.-

ted, but sorry, to report unable to t

g more stimulating than a case where everything goes

the cabman who

ss from the Official Registry. I should not be s

actory than an answer, however, for the door opened and a ro

for 2704," said he. "I've driven my cab this seven years and never a word of complain

aid Holmes. "On the contrary, I have half a sovereign for

take," said the cabman, with a grin.

me and address, in ca

he Borough. My cab is out of Ship

lmes made a

watched this house at ten o'clock this morning and af

hings, for you seem to know as much as I do already," said he. "The truth is that the gen

d yourself in a pretty bad position if you try to hide anything f

, he

id he s

he lef

ay anythi

ioned hi

Oh, he mentioned his name, did he? That was im

he cabman, "was Mr

ck than by the cabman's reply. For an instant he sat

il as quick and supple as my own. He got home upon me very p

t was the gent

ere you picked him up

actly what he wanted all day and ask no questions. I was glad enough to agree. First we drove down to the Northumberland Hotel and w

door," sa

e pulled up half-way down the street and waited an hour and a half. Then the t

," said

ould go. I whipped up the mare and we were there under the ten minutes. Then he paid up his two guineas, like a good one, and away he went into the station. Only ju

you saw no m

e went into

ou describe Mr.

y years of age, and he was of a middle height, two or three inches shorter than you, sir. He was dressed like a to

of his

can't s

e that you c

ir; no

here's another one waiting for you if you c

, sir, and

d Holmes turned to me with a shrug

as in Regent Street, conjectured that I had got the number of the cab and would lay my hands on the driver, and so sent back this audacious message. I tell you, Watson, thi

ut w

re I see of it the less I like it. Yes, my dear fellow, you may laugh, but I give you my