The Hound of the Baskervilles Part 29 (1/2)
”And ask at the station office if there is a ram, which Hol doith unsigned warrant Arrive five-forty
Lestrade
”That is in answer toHe is the best of the professionals, I think, and we may need his assistance Now, Watson, I think that we cannot e upon your acquaintance, Mrs Laura Lyons”
His plan of ca to be evident He would use the baronet in order to convince the Stapletons that ere really gone, while we should actually return at the instant ere likely to be needed That telegram from London, if mentioned by Sir Henry to the Stapletons, must remove the last suspicions fro closer around that leanjawed pike
Mrs Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sherlock Holmes opened his intervieith a frankness and directness which considerably a the circumstances which attended the death of the late Sir Charles Baskerville,” said he ”My friend here, Dr Watson, has informed me of what you have communicated, and also of what you have withheld in connection with that matter”
”What have I withheld?” she asked defiantly
”You have confessed that you asked Sir Charles to be at the gate at ten o'clock We know that that was the place and hour of his death You have withheld what the connection is between these events”
”There is no connection”
”In that case the coincidence must indeed be an extraordinary one But I think that we shall succeed in establishi+ng a connection, after all I wish to be perfectly frank with you, Mrs Lyons We regard this case as one of murder, and the evidence may implicate not only your friend Mr
Stapleton but his wife as well”
The lady sprang from her chair
”His wife!” she cried
”The fact is no longer a secret The person who has passed for his sister is really his wife”
Mrs Lyons had resu the arms of her chair, and I saw that the pink nails had turned white with the pressure of her grip
”His wife!” she said again ”His wife! He is not a ed his shoulders
”Prove it to me! Prove it to me! And if you can do so--!”
The fierce flash of her eyes said more than any words
”I have co several papers froraph of the couple taken in York four years ago It is indorsed 'Mr and Mrs Vandeleur,' but you will have no difficulty in recognizing hiht
Here are three written descriptions by trustworthy witnesses of Mr and Mrs Vandeleur, who at that time kept St Oliver's private school Read them and see if you can doubt the identity of these people”
She glanced at theid face of a desperate woman
”Mr Hole on condition that I could get a divorce from my husband He has lied to me, the villain, in every conceivable way Not one word of truth has he ever told ined that all was forbut a tool in his hands Why should I preserve faith with him who never kept any with me? Why should I try to shi+eld him from the consequences of his oicked acts? Askwhich I shall hold back One thing I swear to you, and that is that when I wrote the letter I never dreaentleman, who had been my kindest friend”
”I entirely believe you, madam,” said Sherlock Holmes ”The recital of these events must be very painful to you, and perhaps it will make it easier if I tell you what occurred, and you can checkof this letter was suggested to you by Stapleton?”