Собака Баскервіллів
A Retrospection
Mrs.Stapletonknewthathehaddesignsupontheoldman,andalsooftheexistenceofthehound. Mrs.Lyonsknewneitherofthesethings,buthadbeenimpressedbythedeathoccurringatthetimeofanuncancelledappointmentwhichwasonlyknowntohim. However,bothofthemwereunderhisinfluence,andhehadnothingtofearfromthem. Thefirsthalfofhistaskwassuccessfullyaccomplishedbutthemoredifficultstillremained.
"ItispossiblethatStapletondidnotknowoftheexistenceofanheirinCanada. InanycasehewouldverysoonlearnitfromhisfriendDr.Mortimer,andhewastoldbythelatteralldetailsaboutthearrivalofHenryBaskerville. Stapleton’sfirstideawasthatthisyoungstrangerfromCanadamightpossiblybedonetodeathinLondonwithoutcomingdowntoDevonshireatall. Hedistrustedhiswifeeversinceshehadrefusedtohelphiminlayingatrapfortheoldman, andhedarednotleaveherlongoutofhissightforfearheshouldlosehisinfluenceoverher. ItwasforthisreasonthathetookhertoLondonwithhim. Theylodged,Ifind,attheMexboroughPrivateHotel,inCravenStreet,whichwasactuallyoneofthosecalleduponbymyagentinsearchofevidence. Herehekepthiswifeimprisonedinherroomwhilehe,disguisedinabeard,followedDr.MortimertoBakerStreetandafterwardstothestationandtotheNorthumberlandHotel. Hiswifehadsomeinklingofhisplans; butshehadsuchafearofherhusband—afearfoundeduponbrutalill-treatment—thatshedarenotwritetowarnthemanwhomsheknewtobeindanger. IfthelettershouldfallintoStapleton’shandsherownlifewouldnotbesafe. Eventually,asweknow,sheadoptedtheexpedientofcuttingoutthewordswhichwouldformthemessage,andaddressingtheletterinadisguisedhand. Itreachedthebaronet,andgavehimthefirstwarningofhisdanger.
"ItwasveryessentialforStapletontogetsomearticleofSirHenry’sattiresothat,incasehewasdriventousethedog,hemightalwayshavethemeansofsettinghimuponhistrack.
